SENATE BILL WOULD RAISE DRIVER'S FEES FOR $40 MILLION ROAD IMPROVEMENTS

(02/25/2011)
A bill in the West Virginia Senate would provide an annual $40 million infusion for the cash-strapped state Road Fund.

The state is now on a 31-year repaving scheduled, according to highway officials.

The bill would increase a variety of fees charged by the Division of Motor Vehicles, covering everything from vehicle registrations, to drivers licenses, to duplicate plates, decals or licenses.

"My objective is to see every dime of this $40 million is spent fixing potholes and paving roads," said state Transportation Secretary Paul Mattox.

Mattox said the funds would be used for paving, small bridge replacement, and road slip and slide repairs on secondary roads.

"There's a lot of places we can use $40 million," he said.