Every West Virginia politician runs on a platform of better roads, but on Monday, legislators finally put some money where their mouths are.
During the special session, two bills passed that appropriated $150 million of surplus funds to the Division of Highways for road work. Monongalia County gets $4,241,550; Preston gets $4,601,700; and Marion gets $2,088,400.
As we reported Tuesday, Transportation Secretary Byrd White and Deputy Highways Commissioner Jimmy Wriston said the paving projects will put new surface on roads that have been repaired and are ready for paving.
We could practically weep for joy that real road repair and paving will be done, not just more shoddy pothole filling. We all know at least one stretch of road that’s more potholes and pothole patches than pavement. Many of West Virginia’s roads need taken down to the metaphorical studs, and it sounds like we might see that happen this year.
Thank you, legislators, for finally fulfilling a campaign promise that benefits all West Virginians.
Now, we just hope the DOH doesn’t wait until the students are back in town to start the Mon County projects.
