Creating WV Country Roads Act
SB 924 creates the “West Virginia Country Roads Mapping and Marketing Act,” a new article in state code authorizing counties to ask the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to map scenic, back, and secondary roads for tourism and recreation purposes. The bill directs WVDOH to establish an application process for counties, and for approved counties to receive digital mapping of routes identified for scenic, historic, and recreational value.
The bill also requires WVDOH to classify mapped roads by surface type, including paved, gravel, and dirt/unimproved roads, and to identify roads that require high-clearance or four-wheel-drive vehicles. It further requires an interactive public map and a mobile application that display route information, surface conditions, and user-added notes, with county commission moderation. The mapping data must be made GIS-compatible, and WVDOH must issue an RFP to develop the technology and app infrastructure. The program would be funded through the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with possible grant partnerships, and WVDOH must provide annual reports to the Legislature on participation, app usage, and tourism impacts.
If enacted, SB 924 would add a new article to the West Virginia Code and expand the duties of the Division of Highways to include tourism-oriented road mapping, digital route classification, public mapping tools, and app development. It would affect counties that choose to apply, travelers seeking scenic or off-road routes, and local tourism interests by creating a state-supported platform for promoting back roads and recreational travel. The bill does not appear to alter road ownership or maintenance responsibilities, but it would require state coordination, data management, and ongoing reporting.
The bill’s stated purpose and structure suggest generally positive support for tourism promotion, rural travel access, and local economic development. The findings emphasize the value of West Virginia’s back roads as an asset and frame the program as a navigation and marketing tool for residents and visitors. No committee transcripts or votes were provided, so there is no recorded debate or formal vote history to indicate opposition or support beyond the bill’s introductory framing.
The main potential points of contention are likely to be cost, administrative burden, and data governance. The bill requires WVDOH to build and maintain an interactive map and mobile app, issue an RFP, and manage annual reporting, which could raise concerns about funding and implementation capacity. Another possible issue is public editing of route notes and condition updates, which may prompt questions about moderation, accuracy, liability, and whether counties have sufficient control over content. Counties may also differ in whether they want to participate, since the program is optional at the application stage.