Local road projects looking for funding
WEIRTON -- Almost 20 local road projects would be set to receive funding if a proposed highway bond referendum is passed by West Virginia voters during a special election Oct. 7.
On Friday, Gus Suwaid, West Virginia Division of Highways District 6 engineer, met with Weirton officials to discuss the proposed Roads to Prosperity bond referendum, which, if approved by voters, will give the state Legislature authority to issue $1.6 billion in bonds over the next four years to fund bridge work, highway improvements and road construction throughout the state.
The referendum was proposed by Gov. Jim Justice earlier this year.
“Highways and capital investment are a major focus for him,” Suwaid said.
Legislation enacted this year has increased tolls on the West Virginia Turnpike to bring in an additional $40 million, as well as increased DMV fees, car taxes and gas taxes for a new $130 million, which then would be utilized for the bond sale.
An additional $200 million to $500 million in bonds could be obtained through the use of annual federal funds.
“There are no new taxes,” Suwaid said.
The funding, if the referendum is passed, would be used to fund a variety of projects throughout the state.
“No county is left behind,” he said.
Some major projects planned in the Northern Panhandle include the proposed New Cumberland bypass, the continuing widening of state Route 2 and renovations to I-70.
“Those three projects alone amount to a figure north of $300 million,” Suwaid noted.
The local projects which would be scheduled, according to Suwaid, if the referendum passes includes:
In Hancock County:
• Resurfacing of Quaker State Road in Newell, $321,170
• Resurfacing, guardrail, drainage of state Route 8 to the Pennsylvania state line, $1,630,000
• Relocate and widen state Route 2 in New Cumberland, $11 million
• Replace Upper Kings Creek Bridge, $486,000
• Repair of slide locations within the county, $500,000
• Reconstruct and rehabilitate NHS Pavement, $2,276,000
• Reconstruct and rehabilitate Non-NHS Pavement, $711,000
• Renovate existing Chester traffic signal system, $1.5 million
• Resurfacing, guardrail, drainage etc. of Frankfort Road to Hardin Run Road, $625,000
In Brooke County:
• Resurfacing of state Route 88 to the Pennsylvania state line, $129,000
• Slip repair on Mechling Hill Road, $175,000
• Resurfacing, guardrail, drainage, etc. Eldersville Road and Harmon Creek Road, $625,000
• Deck and rehabilitation of the Harmon Creek Bridge, $2,970,000
• Corridor based safety and operational improvements on state Routes 27, 67 and 88, $450,000
• Minor rehabilitation on U.S. 22, $4,882,680
• Reconstruct and rehabilitate NHS Pavement, $2,416,000
• Reconstruct and rehabilitation Non-NHS Pavement, $598,000
• Improve turning radius to accommodate truck traffic on state Routes 2 and 27, $2.5 million
• Slide repairs within the county, $500,000
A full list of the projects can be found on the West Virginia Department of Transportation’s website at www.transportation.wv.gov.
(Howell can be contacted at chowell@weirtondailytimes.com, and followed via Twitter @CHowellWDT)