2012 Transportation Day: West Virginia Capitol

West Virginians for Better Transportation and 23 other groups from across the state gathered January 12 at the state Capitol to meet with local legislators and to help educate lawmakers about the challenges facing transportation.

Among the 24 groups participating was Builder Supply Association who took part in “2012 Transportation Day at the West Virginia Capitol.” This gathering was held on the second day of the 60-day legislative session, and a special joint session of the House and Senate Transportation Committees was held that afternoon. Speakers were presenting WVBT, business, labor and the W.Va. DOT provide presentations during the joint committee meeting about the state’s transportation system and its importance to jobs, economic development and commerce.

“The time is now to address this issue,” said WVBT Chairman Bill Hilborn. “We’ve talked a lot about finding a solution. We think it’s time to do more than talk.”

Hilborn said his organization will ask partner groups to join in and to make financial commitments to help cover the costs of a statewide advertising and PR effort that will educate legislators, policymakers and the general public. Hilborn said his group is asking legislators to come up with a solution by the end of the 2013 legislative session.

“These groups are united in their request that legislators spend this year taking a serious look at our transportation infrastructure challenges and examining possible solutions to funding needs,” Hilborn added. “Ultimately, our state will need a long-term plan.”

Hilborn explained that the state’s transportation system is facing both continued inflationary increases and funding uncertainties. “The situation is getting rather problematic, with the state Department of Transportation now being on the record that it cannot keep up with fulfilling maintenance obligations of the existing system not meeting the calls for new highway construction projects. The current situation also has added uncertainty and instability for the thousands of workers who are part of the state’s transportation, engineering and construction industries.”

Twenty-four of the largest, most influential organizations and groups representing business, labor, travel/tourism, local governments and transportation authorities, are assembled today here at the Capitol to point out the dire circumstances facing our state’s roads, bridges and highways and showcase the united support for maintaining and growing a modern, efficient and safe transportation system,” he continued.

“West Virginia needs to develop a long-term plan for its transportation needs and priorities… and this plan needs to have a secure funding source not only for maintenance of the existing infrastructure… but also for new construction and expansion,” Hilborn said. “And, our national leaders in Congress must enact a six-year federal highway reauthorization bill that is fully funded.”

For more information about West Virginians for Better Transportation, please go to: www.keepmoving.org