Associated Press Published

Wriston Appointed Acting W.Va. Highways Commissioner

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Jimmy Wriston has been appointed acting West Virginia highways commissioner.

Gov. Jim Justice announced Wriston’s appointment Tuesday. Wriston also will serve as deputy transportation secretary.

Wriston has spent the past 12 years as the department’s chief transportation engineer and special program manager.

Earlier this month Justice fired state transportation secretary and highways commissioner Tom Smith, saying he wanted a new direction for the department.

The governor is accelerating secondary road repairs and maintenance. Last week he ordered Division of Highways district managers to compile lists of secondary roads in most need of repair. He also asked them to suggest projects that need continuous “aggressive” maintenance.