Morrisey Shifts DOT Focus From New Roads To ‘Needed’ Repairs Of Roads, Bridges 

At a Monday press conference held outside the state’s Division of Highways district headquarters in Bridgeport, Gov. Patrick Morrisey was direct.

“I’m here to tell you that the ‘Roads to Prosperity’ money, it’s all gone,” Morrisey said, referring to an initiative launched by former Gov. Jim Justice in 2017.

“One of the most disappointing things that we found when we took office was – despite the billions of dollars that was spent in the last eight years over highways and bridges – there was a lot of debt that was racked up. We’ve not made the progress that we need to maintain West Virginia’s roads, bridges and highways,” Morrisey added.

He unveiled a multi-pronged plan to resolve the problems he said have led to 14% of West Virginia bridges rated “poor” on a federal government survey.

“Our goal may be modest, but we’re working hard on it. By 2028 we have to get that number down. We have to get that number down under 10,” Morrisey said. 

He also said he is shifting the focus of projects from new roads the state has “no way to pay for” to fixing potholes, paving roads and repairing bridges.

“What we have uncovered are mismanaged funds, mounting debt, and basic roads and bridges falling apart,” Morrisey said.

He unveiled a path forward that includes:

• Refocusing resources on maintenance.
• Reducing administrative overhead by eliminating management positions within the Department of Transportation (DOT).
• Providing greater transparency into ongoing projects and making commitments based upon resources available. 

Morrisey was particularly critical of the DOT’s Charleston-based leadership model. 

“Quite frankly, the Department of Transportation has too many assistant directors and division directors relative to the money that it has to spend and money that’s better spent on highways and bridges,” he said.

“A lot of the paperwork generated, and passed around Charleston, was used as an excuse to create jobs and payraises.” 

Morrisey also pledged greater transparency within the department through an updated website that offers regular updates on project selection, finances, and timelines.For a list of bridge and road maintenance projects and their statuses, click here.