Gov. Patrick Morrisey is taking bold steps to fix West Virginia’s crumbling roads and bridges—and make sure more taxpayer money actually goes toward fixing them.
On Monday, Morrisey, alongside state Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Todd Rumbaugh, announced a series of major reforms aimed at shifting funds away from bureaucracy and back to where they’re needed most: road and bridge repairs.
“The condition of our roads and bridges affects every part of our daily lives,” Morrisey said during a press conference at the Division of Highways District Four Headquarters in Bridgeport. “It impacts how we get to work, visit loved ones, or even enjoy a weekend outing. And right now, it’s simply not where it should be.”
Fixing What We Already Have
One of the major shifts Morrisey and Rumbaugh are making is focusing on preserving and maintaining the infrastructure the state already has—before taking on new projects.
“We’ve spent decades underinvesting in maintenance,” Rumbaugh said. “From crumbling pavement to rusted-out bridge beams, the signs are everywhere. It’s time to turn that around.”
To do this, the DOT will:
- Create a new statewide priority list for road and bridge repairs
- Use better data to guide long-term planning and spending
- Collaborate with federal and local partners to stretch funding further
The Reality of “Roads to Prosperity”
Morrisey also revealed that funding from the highly publicized Roads to Prosperity bond program—launched in 2017 under former Governor Jim Justice—is basically gone.
“When I took office, I was shocked,” Morrisey said. “Despite billions being spent, the DOT was nearly out of money. And worse, we had projects being designed or started with no way to pay for them.”
He pointed out that while one final project from the Roads to Prosperity program remains, others were approved without funding in place. Some contractors were close to being told to stop mid-project.
Even more concerning, federal officials had warned West Virginia that unless changes were made to how funds were spent, the state could lose future federal transportation dollars.
Reining in Bureaucracy and Paying Down Debt
Morrisey is also targeting the administrative side of the DOT, saying too many management-level positions were soaking up funds that should have been spent on roads.
“We’re cutting the bureaucracy. We’re putting that money back into asphalt and bridges,” he said. “Money will no longer get stuck in Charleston.”
He noted that West Virginia spends $120 million annually just on interest from road bond debt. That’s money that could have gone directly into maintenance.
Plans are now in motion to begin responsibly paying down the state’s road debt and reducing the burden on taxpayers.
Rebuilding Trust Through Transparency
Another big change? Transparency in how road and bridge projects are selected.
“No more backroom decisions or picking winners based on politics,” Morrisey said. “We’re going to be transparent, data-driven, and focused on what the people of West Virginia truly need.”
He promised a full list of active and upcoming projects would be posted on the DOT’s website by the end of the day.
A Safer, Smarter Infrastructure Future
West Virginia ranks second nationally for structurally deficient bridges, with more than 18% labeled in poor condition. Morrisey and Rumbaugh want that number below 10% by 2028.
Rumbaugh emphasized the urgency: “This is more than a goal—it’s a promise. We owe it to our residents and future generations to make sure our infrastructure is strong, safe, and built to last.”
To help meet that goal, Morrisey has included $100 million for road and bridge maintenance in the state’s 2026 budget. This funding will be released next year if surplus tax revenue becomes available.
As Morrisey wrapped up the press conference, he made it clear: “We’re not just talking about fixing the roads—we’re doing it. We’re reshaping the future of transportation in West Virginia.”
