To place rumble strips on all double-yellow lined roads and highways.
Summary
House Bill 2923 would require the West Virginia Commissioner of Highways to install rumble strips on all double-yellow lined highways whenever those roads are upgraded, beginning July 1, 2025. The bill adds a new section to the state road code and is framed as a roadway safety measure focused on centerline markings on highways undergoing improvement projects.
In practical terms, the bill would make rumble strips a mandatory feature of qualifying highway upgrade projects rather than a discretionary design choice. The requirement applies to the state highway system and would affect the Department of Highways, contractors, and project planning for road resurfacing or reconstruction work on double-yellow lined roads.
Impact
The bill would amend West Virginia Code Chapter 17, Article 4 by creating a new section directing the Commissioner of Highways to include rumble strips on double-yellow lined highways when upgrading begins on or after July 1, 2025. This would establish a statewide roadway design requirement tied to highway improvement projects and could affect construction standards, project costs, and maintenance planning for the Department of Highways and its contractors.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and available context, the measure appears to have a generally positive safety-oriented framing, with sponsors from both parties and no recorded committee debate or votes in the provided materials. The bill’s caption and purpose suggest it is intended as a straightforward traffic safety improvement rather than a controversial policy change.
Contention
No committee transcripts, recorded votes, or formal opposition are provided, so there is no documented contention in the available record. Potential areas of concern, if raised, would likely involve added project costs, construction impacts, and whether mandatory rumble strips are appropriate for all double-yellow lined highways during upgrades, but these issues are not reflected in the supplied discussion history.