11 March 2009

W.Va Turnpike in Legislative Crosshairs

The majority and minority leaders of the state Senate expect to introduce a package of bills today that aim to rid the West Virginia Turnpike of its tolls in 2020, The Associated Press reports.

"That's one year after the turnpike is scheduled to pay off bonds that require toll revenue," AP explains. "One of Wednesday's bills would make the turnpike keep that timetable, while another would bar any new debt."

The article notes further that Senate Majority Leader Truman Chafin, D-Mingo, also "wants to divert stimulus dollars to fund turnpike repairs," while Minority Leader Don Caruth, R-Mercer, "questions why the roadway has failed to seek annual federal highway dollars."

The Register-Herald of Beckley reports on the latter, quoting a state Transportation official who says "he was unaware the Turnpike has been leveraging $10 million a year in federal dollars without benefiting from it."

No comments: