Submitted photo
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 1002, giving the state Division of Highways $150 million in supplemental highway funding for paving projects throughout the Mountain State.
CHARLESTON — Millions of dollars in state funding will be flowing into the local area for a passel of paving projects announced by the West Virginia Division of Highways.
Gov. Jim Justice signed Senate Bill 1002, giving the DOH $150 million in supplemental highway funding for paving projects throughout the Mountain State.
In Randolph County, paving will include an $840,000 project on the Cassity Road, including work on the Mabie Road; and a $750,000 project on the Gilman Road, including work on the Pearcy Road, the Creed Isner Road and Clifton-Nail Road.
Other Randolph County paving projects will include a $525,000 project on North Randolph Avenue; a $650,000 project on the Helvetia-Adolph Road; a $200,000 on the Jimtown Road; a $335,000 project on the Ward Road; a $175,000 on the Back Road; and a $160,000 project on the Kings Run Road.
Barbour County paving projects include a $614,900 project on the Carolton Road; and a $280,800 project, and a $78,000 project, both on the Talbott Road.
Upshur County paving will include a $240,300 project on the Hardman Road; and a $445,500 project, along with a separate $216,000 project, both on the Canaan Road.
Tucker County paving will include an $850,000 project in Blackwater Falls, including work at Blackwater Falls Lodge, Blackwater Falls Picnic, Blackwater Swim, Blackwater Falls Shelter, Blackwater Falls Camp 1 and Camp 2, and Blackwater Falls Cabins.
Other Tucker County paving projects include a $420,000 project on the Appalachian Highway; a $300,000 project on Clover Run; a $250,000 project at Seven Islands; and a $175,000 project at Valley Fork.
Pocahontas County paving will include a $1.3 million project on Woodrow Road, including work on the Williams River Road, in Dog Town, and on Red Lick Road, Spruce Flat Road, Beverage Road, Jerico Road, Stony Creek Road and Onoto Road.
Other Pocahontas County paving will include an $850,000 project in Linwood Road, including work on the Beverage Road; and a $620,000 project on the Potomac Highlands Trail.
“Signing Senate Bill 1102 is a huge win for our roads, our people, and West Virginia,” Justice said. “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 finish line, 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.”
The $150 million supplemental budget appropriation will be used exclusively for paving projects in every district in West Virginia, and will increase the ability of the DOH to pave the roads West Virginians drive every day. The special funding is on top of approximately $190 million in federal highway funds.
“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.
“These projects will also reduce future maintenance costs in patching these roadways,” Pack said. “This will allow WVDOH maintenance forces to focus on other maintenance issues around the state.”
Since 2020, surplus budget appropriations have paved 3,812 miles of road above and beyond those paved with federal highway funds. Those roads would not have been paved without help from Gov. Justice and the state Legislature.
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.
