TOLLS AND MOTOR VEHICLE FEES WOULD HELP WV HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION

(09/09/2013)
West Virginia officials are looking at tolls and increased motor vehicle fees, but no tax increases, to pay for West Virginia road construction, according to the governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways.

Road improvements and resurfacing are years behind schedule in the Mountain State.

One proposal is to authorize the state Parkways Authority to issue $1 billion in road bonds, to be financed by continuing and increasing tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike.

Out-of-state vehicles account for 76 percent of the tolls collected on the turnpike.

The continued tolls on the turnpike for another 30 years would provide infusion for road-building funds.

The state would be able to complete road projects that otherwise, would not be completed for 20 years or more.