Latest news with #WestVirginiaDepartmentofTransportation
Dominion Post
2 hours ago
- Business
- Dominion Post
Partnerships part of the state's plan to address future road projects
MORGANTOWN – The words 'partners' and 'partnerships' were repeated time and again Monday as Gov. Patrick Morrisey laid out foundational changes in how the state is going to address roads under his administration. The collaborative spirit is an apparent change in attitude rooted in necessity. Pointing to decades of under-investment in maintenance and significant bond debt taken on for construction projects through the Roads to Prosperity program, Morrisey said the West Virginia Department of Transportation will be doing more with less and operating with a renewed focus on maintenance. As for new construction projects coveted by public and private entities across the state, they may require some local skin in the game to get built — partners, if you will. Long story short, the state needs help. 'We have to acknowledge that one of the things that we're talking about today are partnerships with counties. We're going to be working with the counties even more aggressively than you've seen in the past. That's critical because the state doesn't have the resources to address every single need that's out there,' Morrisey said, further explaining investment from the private sector can be brought to bear for high-priority projects through public-private partnerships. This should be music to the ears of many in Monongalia County. The process was pioneered here nearly a decade ago. On Sept. 1, 2016, former Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin was in town to formally open Interstate 79 exit 153. The $22-million interchange was the first major highways project in West Virginia, and possibly the country, that was born of an agreement between the county, state, Federal Highways Administration and a private developer – WestRidge. Within two years or so of its opening, sales tax-increment financing from the surrounding economic development (TIF) district fully repaid the state's investment. 'You know, you would have thought the state would have celebrated that and set that up as a model going forward as to how we can work together collaboratively, because they put that interchange in for WestRidge, and they got their money back in two or three years,' Glenn Adrian said. 'But it was like nobody really celebrated that or was really paying attention.' But Adrian, co-founder of Enrout Properties, was definitely paying attention. Shortly after exit 153 was completed, public/private efforts for two additional projects began in earnest: the overhaul of the neighboring I-79 exit 155, again with WestRidge, and construction of a new Harmony Grove interchange providing interstate access to Enrout's Morgantown Industrial Park. Movement on both has been slow, despite local buy-in. On exit 155, Monongalia County Commissioner Sean Sikora pointed out that not only has $5 million in local support for the project's engineering and prep work been committed, but the county and its partners pulled down a $54.3-million federal grant for the work despite having a $66-million pledge from the state in hand. As for Harmony Grove, Adrian said former WVDOT leadership actually signed a public-private agreement with Enrout and Monongalia County in 2020. Through that agreement, any funding generated by the Harmony Grove TIF district beyond repayment to bond holders would go directly to the state to reimburse its portion of the new interchange. 'The problem is, that had been forgotten,' Adrian said, explaining he spoke with Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbugh following Monday's announcement. 'He was delighted to hear that we'd already set up a collaboration agreement to pledge tax increment to reimburse the state. He said, 'I don't think any of us knew that.'' Sikora said it's refreshing to hear a governor 'speaking our language' in terms of implementing a data-driven approach to transportation spending. Further, he said Monongalia County has proven that a collaborative approach to major projects can work. 'We're willing to think outside the box and come up with answers. We don't say, 'Hey, we have this problem, fix it.' We bring solutions to the table,' Sikora said, adding 'The other counties shouldn't take this news with fear. We're looking to continue the growth here and in some of these areas so that we can help push for growth in other areas. A rising tide lifts all boats.' Adrian had similar thoughts. 'As Mon County typically is, we were ahead of the curve in recognizing the fact that we were willing to help the state get its money back for its portion of these projects, which goes hand in hand with what the governor was saying about working with the counties if they have a project they're interested in developing,' he said. 'If we can get the projects we need and help reimburse the state leading to future investment here or elsewhere, that helps everyone.'
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Gov. Morrisey announces overhaul of West Virginia DOT to reduce debt, save money
BRIDGEPORT, (WBOY) — Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced plans for big changes in the West Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT) on Monday, including plans to decrease administrative staff and pause work on new highway projects. During a press conference in Bridgeport, Morrisey said that because prior financial management 'spent wildly in the past,' the DOT is 'basically out of money,' and is in substantial debt from transportation projects, having committed nearly 30 years worth of Roads to Prosperity money in less than seven years. According to Morrisey, West Virginia has $909 in transportation debt per resident, which is substantially higher than most other states. Morrisey emphasized the need to make sure that road conditions improve in the state but on a much tighter budget. To address the financial problems, Morrisey said he plans to cut back on administration jobs in the DOT by relying on technology and to pause new highway construction projects. He said his administration will prioritize fixing existing roads over creating new highways and that some current highway construction projects will be put on hold until the state can pay for them. 'We can't even afford the existing highways that are on the books,' he said during the press conference. WV Prosecuting Attorneys Association 'setting record straight' on criminal penalties from miscarriages He also said that to save state money, his administration will partner with counties on more road projects. He said he looks forward to counties and members of the private sector stepping up to help take care of West Virginia's roads. The DOT project list is being rewritten with a focus on 'data-driven and evidence-based decisions' instead of 'politics,' according to Morrisey who said that the DOT will no longer focus on the 'squeaky wheel.' Morrisey's office is also prioritizing financial transparency and revamping the DOT website to include publicly available information on how state funds are being used on roads and transportation in West Virginia. Morrisey said during the press conference that even during the 'massive culture change' in the DOT, his administration is working toward improving the safety of West Virginia's roads and bridges, which are among the worst in the country. 'We have to do more with less,' he said during the press conference. Morrisey's full press conference is available to watch on his YouTube page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CDS funds can be used on CFX, King Coal
bluefield — Years ago it was a common practice for lawmakers to use federal earmarks to help build highway projects across West Virginia. Locally, some of the earliest segments of the Coalfields Expressway and the King Coal Highway were started as a result of federal earmarks secured by lawmakers, including the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. Byrd, a powerful Democrat in Washington at the time, faced frequent criticism for his efforts in securing federal earmarks for West Virginia. A number of years later the use of earmarks fell out of favor with Congress, and the practice was ultimately supended. However, in more recent years, earmarks have returned with a new name. They are now called Congressionally Directed Spending awards, and are considered on an annual basis. U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, was recently asked by the Daily Telegraph why Congressionally Directed Spending awards are not currently being used to help with highway projects like the Coalfields Expressway in McDowell County and the King Coal Highway in Bluefield. Capito said the West Virginia Department of Transportation is, in fact, seeking Congressionally Directed Spending awards for those and other highway corridors across the Mountain State. She was also asked whether or not elected officials in Mercer and McDowell counties had requested such federal funding support for the highway projects in their respective counties. 'There is no reason why I cannot ask for a Congressionally Directed Spend in those areas,' Capito said in reference to the Daily Telegraph question during a recent media call with West Virginia reporters. 'Whether it is King Coal or Coalfields Express or Corridor H or whatever — Route 2 has some issues too on expansion.' Capito said her office is in regular contact with the West Virginia Department of Highways with regards to the transportation needs of the Mountain State. 'I am generally working with the West Virginia Department of Transportation to see where their priorities are so they can get, so we can cobble together the funds to actually have success,' Capito said. 'I know we just got recently a grant for the King Coal Highway. It came through. It was a discretionary grant. So that is good news. And we just gotta keep plugging away. These are massively expensive highways but they need to be completed.' Capito said the DOH will sometimes ask the counties to join in on funding requests for specific transportation projects. 'Mainly the big ones you are talking about will come from the West Virginia DOT and we work hand in glove with them.' Capito said. 'And they have requested these.' The Daily Telegraph has asked the DOT for information on the recent funding award for the King Coal Highway project, but has not yet received an answer. Years ago the local DOH offices were able to answer media questions, but in recent years all such questions must now be forwarded to the DOH's public relations office in Charleston. That practice was in place during the administration of former Gov. Jim Justice and is now continuing with current Gov. Patrick Morrisey. The King Coal Highway is West Virginia's local corridor of the future Interstate 73/74/75 routing. In West Virginia, the King Coal Highway will ultimately extend 95 miles through Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming and Wayne counties along or near currently existing U.S. 52 from U.S. 119 near Williamson to Interstate 77 in Bluefield. In the bigger picture, the final Interstate 73/74/75 routing will extend from Detroit, Michigan to Myrtle Beach, S.C, opening up a large swath of Southern West Virginia to interstate access. According to the National I-73/74/75 Corridor Association, the project will bring growth along the interstate within six states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Sections of the interstate corridor are already open in other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina. The Coalfields Expressway is a new four-lane corridor that will extend through both West Virginia and Virginia. The full West Virginia routing of the Coalfields Expressway will take the new four-lane from Welch in McDowell County toward Pineville in Wyoming County and Beckley in Raleigh County. In neighboring Virginia, the Coalfields Expressway will extend through Buchanan, Dickenson and Wise counties. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
More than 150 acres timbered at King Coal site
bluefield — A massive timbering project at the site of the King Coal Highway project in Bluefield has concluded. Approximately 150 acres of timber was cut to make way for the next phase of the new interstate project in Mercer County, according to Rusty Marks with the public relations office for the West Virginia Department of Transportation. While much of that timbering wasn't visible to motorists traveling along the new four-lane corridor, the timbered trees are visible from the distance near the 'road closed' sign where the King Coal Highway currently connects with the existing Airport Road. That's where the next section of the interstate corridor will begin. The new $58 million contract will take the King Coal Highway another 2.5 miles from Airport Road to Littlesburg Road, near Route 20 and the Bluewell community. However, earth-moving work on that project can't begin until two permits are received by the DOH, according to Mark. Those permits may not be received until late summer. 'The contractor, Kanawha Stone, is securing a 404 permit as well as an NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit),' Marks said in an email response to questions by the Daily Telegraph. 'If these permits are obtained prior to August, then construction work can resume. August is simply the date in which these permits are assumed to be in place so that work can begin.' A 404 permit falls under the Clean Waters Act and regulates the discharge of dredged or fill material into waters of the United States, including wetlands. A groundbreaking ceremony on the Littlesburg Road section of the King Coal Highway was held last November, but no actual work on the highway project was completed at that time due to the pending arrival of winter. A third Mercer County contract is still in the planning stages. Once it is approved, that project will extend the King Coal Highway another five miles from the Littlesburg Road area toward the Montcalm community. The Littlesburg Road to Montcalm section of the King Coal Highway is still under environmental review. A contract award date for that stretch of the roadway has not yet been announced. The King Coal Highway is West Virginia's local corridor of the future Interstate 73/74/75 routing. In West Virginia, the King Coal Highway will ultimately extend 95 miles through Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming and Wayne counties along or near currently existing U.S. 52 from U.S. 119 near Williamson to Interstate 77 in Bluefield. In the bigger picture, the final Interstate 73/74/75 routing will extend from Detroit, Michigan to Myrtle Beach, S.C, opening up a large swath of Southern West Virginia to interstate access. According to the National I-73/74/75 Corridor Association, the project will bring growth along the interstate within six states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Sections of the interstate corridor are already open in other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Yahoo
Timbering begins for next section of King Coal Highway project
bluefield — Work is getting underway on a new 2.5 mile stretch of the King Coal Highway near Bluefield. Trees that are in the path of the planned roadway are now being removed, according to the West Virginia Department of Transportation. The $58 million project will take the King Coal Highway corridor from its current terminus point at Airport Road toward Littlesburg Road, near Bluewell and Route 20. According to Ryland Musick, District 10 engineer for the West Virginia Department of Highways in Princeton, trees are now being cut along the next 2.5 mile section of the four-lane corridor. Musick said earth work on the road is expected to begin in August. The King Coal Highway project is West Virginia's local corridor of the future Interstate 73/74/75 routing. The first section of the roadway, which extends from John Nash Boulevard in Bluefield to Airport Road, opened to traffic in late 2023. Former Governor Jim Justice, who is now a member of the U.S. Senate, joined local and state officials for a groundbreaking on the project last November. At that point, due to the looming arrival of winter, no further work was undertaken at the construction site until now. State highway officials at the time advised that actual construction work wouldn't get underway until this spring, which made the groundbreaking more of a ceremonial event. A second King Coal Highway contract is in the environmental review stages. It will extend the interstate corridor another five miles from the Littlesburg Road area toward the Montcalm community once that contract is finalized and awarded. It is not currently known how long that ongoing environmental review will take. A contract award date for that section of the King Coal Highway has not yet been announced. A public information meeting was held last year on the Montcalm stretch of the roadway. That 4.3 mile section of the King Coal Highway will go from Montcalm (County Route 11/4) in the north to Littlesburg Road (or West Virginia Route 20) in the south where it will connect to the existing section of the King Coal Highway at Airport Road. In West Virginia, the King Coal Highway will ultimately extend 95 miles through Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Wyoming and Wayne counties along or near currently existing U.S. 52 from U.S. 119 near Williamson to Interstate 77 in Bluefield. In the bigger picture, the final Interstate 73/74/75 routing will extend from Detroit, Michigan to Myrtle Beach, S.C, opening up a large swath of Southern West Virginia to interstate access. According to the National I-73/74/75 Corridor Association, the project will bring growth along the interstate within six states: Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. Sections of the interstate corridor are already open in other states, including North Carolina and South Carolina. Contact Charles Owens at cowens@
