All lanes, cul-de-sacs, dead end roads, city streets and non-through routes with an ADT of less than 10 per .1 mile be eliminated from WVDOH maintenance. ROW will be maintained on paper only and county WVDOH budgets will not be reduced.
Impact
This bill effectively alters the framework for how local roadways are maintained in West Virginia. By enabling the Division of Highways to discontinue the maintenance of low-traffic routes, local governments may face challenges related to road safety and accessibility. However, the provision that rights-of-way will be maintained on paper without reducing county budgets raises questions about fiscal management and resource allocation for local governments. This change could directly impact community planning and highway safety standards if not managed appropriately.
Summary
House Bill 5018 proposes significant modifications to the responsibilities of the Commissioner of the Division of Highways in West Virginia. Primarily, it seeks to eliminate the maintenance of certain roadway categories, such as all lanes, cul-de-sacs, dead-end roads, city streets, and non-through routes that experience an Average Daily Traffic (ADT) of less than 10 vehicles per 0.1 mile. This change would affect how local roads are managed and maintained, shifting some responsibilities away from state oversight while redefining budget allocation processes related to roadway maintenance.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding HB 5018 appears to be mixed. Supporters may argue that the bill represents a necessary modernization of road maintenance practices, aiming to optimize state resources and focus on higher traffic thoroughfares. On the other hand, opponents of the bill raise concerns that discontinuing maintenance on low-traffic roads could lead to deteriorating infrastructure in less populated areas, undermining local governance and community needs. This dual perspective highlights the ongoing debate regarding state versus local control in infrastructure management.
Contention
Notable points of contention arise from the implications of categorizing roads for state maintenance and how this might affect local municipalities. There are worries about increased liability for local governments, which may have to manage roads that are no longer under state supervision while still maintaining budgetary constraints. Additionally, questions emerge about the fairness of eliminating maintenance responsibilities based solely on traffic metrics, with critics pointing out that some essential community routes may receive less support and neglect despite their importance for local access and safety.
To place a $1.00 charge on Uber, Lyft, Uber Eats, Door Dash, and all like services with the proceeds to be disbursed to the WVDOH and equally applied to each Counties Annual Budget
To require DOH, when abandoning a right of way, to notify the legislative representatives in the county or counties in which this right of way is located via email and first class mail in addition to publication in the newspaper