Federal Funds Help Support Safer Streets

Three communities in the northern part of the state are getting some help to improve road safety. 

Martinsburg, Wheeling and Star City will share close to $1 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to enhance road safety in their communities. The funds come from the Safe Streets and Roads for All discretionary program of the DOT,  established as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. .

All three cities will use the money to create safety action plans focused on reducing fatal and severe injury crashes as well as generally improving safety and equity for all on the roads.

More than half of the money – $552,000 – will be used by the City of Martinsburg to develop their plan and transform the city’s transportation network to provide safe options to travel throughout the community.

The Belomar Regional Council, on behalf of the Wheeling metropolitan region, will receive $240,000. The council was established by the West Virginia Legislature in 1969 as one of eleven regional councils created throughout West Virginia. Belomar’s primary purpose was to foster cooperation for the planning and development of community and economic development and transportation projects. Its service area originally included Ohio and Marshall Counties in West Virginia and Belmont County in Ohio and expanded in 1972 to include Wetzel County.  

Star City will receive $200,000.

“I’m pleased to announce these three DOT awards, which will boost road and travel safety for West Virginians and those visiting our great state,” said Senator Manchin. “I look forward to seeing their positive impacts for the Martinsburg, Wheeling and Star City communities for decades to come. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to upgrade and improve our transportation infrastructure.”