W.Va. Turnpike Moves Toward Toll Hike

Outcries from the public and legislators have helped keep tolls on the 88-mile West Virginia Turnpike at the same rate for nearly three decades, but the road's parent agency is steadily preparing to change that, The Associated Press reports.

"Members of the West Virginia Parkways Economic Development and Tourism Authority agreed Thursday that an increase is unavoidable, but are waiting until the full board meets April 13 to review two engineering studies, one of which could suggest a proposed amount," the article said.

Funding woes have prompted the push for a toll hike. "While acknowledging the potential public relations nightmare ahead of them, authority member Bill Seaver said, 'Sensible people will understand that we need to raise rates,'" the AP article said.

But Seaver also lashed out at legislative critics of the Turnpike and its question for higher tolls, AP reports. MetroNews also has an item on Seaver's allegations that the region's delegation has failed to lead on the issue and has pandered to critics. Aaudio here.

Also relaying Seaver's discontentment, The Register-Herald of Beckley reports that "yet another summit is planned next week between Gov. Joe Manchin and southern lawmakers pushing to scrap tolls, or at least freeze them," after "a midweek gathering failed to produce the data lawmakers were seeking."