On Thursday, May 30, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 1102 giving the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) $150 million in supplemental highway funding for paving projects throughout the Mountain State. That appropriation will lead to eight different sections of county highways receiving new surfaces.
Governor Justice asked the Legislature to approve the extra funding during the first special legislative session in May. The money is in addition to $190 received by the WVDOH in federal highway funds.
“Signing Senate Bill 1102 is a huge win for our roads, our people, and West Virginia,” said Governor Justice. “With federal funds only stretching so far, this additional $150 million means our hardworking Division of Highways crew can roll up their sleeves and tackle even more roads. I am beyond proud we got this across the finishline, and I thank the West Virginia Legislature for prioritizing our roads. Now, we can keep the momentum going and continue to improve every corner of our state.”
In all, this year’s supplemental budget appropriation will pay for 499 paving projects on more than 973 miles of road that aren’t covered by federal highway funds.
Local areas to be included are Servia Road, Bonnie Road, Kenner’s Ridge Road, Upper Sleith Road, Tiffany Jackson Road, Perkins Fork Road, Riffle Road, and Pigeon Roost Road.
The $150 million supplemental budget appropriation will be used exclusively for paving projects in every district in West Virginia and will greatly increase the ability of the WVDOH to pave the roads West Virginians drive every day. The special funding is on top of approximately $190 million in federal highway dollars.
“The WVDOH is thankful and excited to receive this funding,” said Joe Pack, P.E., WVDOH Chief Engineer of Operations and District 1 Engineer. He said the supplemental funding will resurface roads that might otherwise have taken years to get to.