Transportation (Roads & Highways) in West Virginia

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 238: Allowing municipalities to complete work previously requested to DOH

SB 238 amends West Virginia Code §8-12-5 to explicitly allow municipalities to complete highway construction or maintenance work previously requested from the Division of Highways (DOH). This directly affects West Virginia cities and towns, granting them authority to finish such projects themselves instead of relying solely on state highway department execution. The key provision establishes a payment mechanism for municipalities to cover costs associated with completing these previously requested projects. The bill updates existing municipal powers under state law to clarify this new capability without altering the underlying responsibilities of the Division of Highways.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 16, 2026

HB 4480: Relating to Access Management and Entrances to State Highways

HB 4480 modifies West Virginia's rules for access points to state highways used by commercial or industrial properties. It removes permit requirements for new access points, streamlining the process for businesses. The bill also creates standards for reviewing existing access points (especially those over 50 feet wide on highways with speed limits above 45 mph), allowing the Division of Highways to require safety changes like "no parking" signs based on traffic data. These changes directly affect property owners with highway-facing commercial or industrial properties.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 4530: Creating Retail Impact Intersection Improvement Fund

HB 4530 creates a dedicated fund within West Virginia's State Road Fund to improve traffic intersections near large retail operations like shopping malls, grocery stores, and warehouses. County officials must submit annual priority lists of needed upgrades (based on traffic counts and local urgency) to the Division of Highways, which administers the program. The fund finances specific fixes such as adding turning lanes, updating traffic signals, adjusting signal timing, and improving drop-off/pick-up areas to reduce congestion. Projects must occur on eligible state highways and directly address retail-impacted intersections, with funding limited to these designated improvements.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 458: Providing pay raise for state road employees

SB 458 provides a $5,000 salary increase for all employees of the West Virginia Division of Highways, effective July 1, 2026. This direct pay raise applies to current road maintenance and highway workers employed by the state. The bill amends existing law to implement this specific salary adjustment without altering other existing provisions like scholarship programs. The change is effective immediately upon enactment for all eligible employees as of the specified date.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 10, 2026

SB 501: Expanding digital mapping of unimproved public roads

SB 501 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to expand digital mapping of secondary and backroads for all counties that apply. Counties must submit standardized applications to have their scenic, historic, and recreational backroads mapped, with roads classified by surface type (paved, gravel, dirt) and marked for 4x4 vehicle use where needed. The WVDOH will create a public mobile app and interactive map showing these classifications, allowing travelers to view route details and user-added notes (moderated by counties). Funding comes from the WVDOH tourism and infrastructure budget, with annual reports to the Legislature on participation and tourism impact. This directly affects counties seeking tourism promotion and travelers navigating rural roads.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Feb 18, 2026

SB 94: Relating to Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority

SB 94 continues the Robert C. Byrd Corridor H Highway Authority, which serves the economic development needs of seven counties (Lewis, Upshur, Barbour, Randolph, Tucker, Grant, and Hardy) along Corridor H. The bill establishes the authority’s structure, including 21 voting members appointed by the seven counties (three per county) and five ex-officio nonvoting members from state agencies (like the Department of Highways and Economic Development). It outlines meeting rules (requiring 11 voting members for a quorum), confirms members receive expense reimbursements but no salary, and defines the authority’s duties to foster economic partnerships, develop tourism assets, and manage property to support regional growth. The authority must report annually to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Tags Economic Development

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 16, 2026

SB 444: Enhancing flexibility, responsiveness, and economic development potential of Industrial Access Road Fund

SB 444 amends West Virginia law to improve how the Industrial Access Road Fund is managed and used. It allows counties to retain unobligated funds for three years (instead of reverting immediately) and enables counties within regional economic development organizations to pool funds for shared industrial road projects across county lines. The bill also waives surety bond requirements for federally funded projects and clarifies that funds can cover signage, safety upgrades, and matching federal infrastructure projects. This directly affects counties, municipalities, and industrial developers seeking to build or improve roads connecting to manufacturing, distribution, or economic development sites.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Airports Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

in committee · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 165: Clarifying Right to Farm Act relating to regulation of honey bees

This bill clarifies West Virginia's Right to Farm Act to specifically protect residential beekeeping operations, ensuring honey beekeeping on private property is recognized as a permitted agricultural activity. It creates special vehicle registration plates for organizations promoting pollinators, with fees collected from these plates ($25 initial fee, $15 annual) deposited into the State Road Fund to fund highway beautification projects that support pollinator habitats. The bill also updates definitions to include "tropilaelaps mites" as a honey bee pest under the Apiary Act. These changes directly affect beekeepers, pollinator conservation groups, and state highway maintenance programs, while reinforcing the state's focus on protecting pollinators critical to agriculture.

Topics ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Conservation Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

introduced · West Virginia · Senate Jan 14, 2026

SB 178: Establishing comprehensive highway paving plan

SB 178 requires the West Virginia Division of Highways Commissioner to create and annually submit a comprehensive plan for routine repaving of all asphalt-surfaced state roads. The bill amends existing law to mandate this annual plan, directly affecting the Division of Highways' maintenance operations. Key provisions include establishing a structured repaving schedule and requiring the plan to be presented to the Legislature each year. This focuses on systematic road maintenance rather than new construction or emergency repairs. The bill does not specify funding mechanisms or timelines for repaving.

Topics ✓ Transportation

Sub-Topics Bridges Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

All transportation bills