After years of steady progress on fixing West Virginia’s roads and bridges, the Mountain State now faces a new challenge: rising construction costs are threatening to derail future improvements.
This warning comes from the latest TRIP report — a national nonprofit that analyzes transportation trends. Released during a virtual press conference, the report outlines the condition of West Virginia’s transportation system, from road surfaces and bridge conditions to safety and traffic congestion.
Todd Rumbaugh, West Virginia’s newly appointed Secretary of Transportation, joined the TRIP briefing and confirmed what the data shows: despite significant investment, the state’s infrastructure still needs more funding to stay ahead of the curve.
Progress Made, but Inflation Bites
West Virginia saw a major boost in transportation funding in 2017 through its Roads to Prosperity program, followed by an additional $3.6 billion from the 2021 federal infrastructure bill. These investments helped pave 8,400 miles of road and repair 3,400 bridges across the state since 2018.
However, inflation in highway construction has since surged by 45% starting in 2022, drastically reducing the buying power of that funding. According to Rocky Moretti, TRIP’s director of policy and research, this inflation is now “denting the impact of the additional funds.”
Roads Still in Rough Shape
The TRIP report shows 30% of West Virginia’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition. In addition, 19% of bridges across the state are in poor condition, although none were classified as unsafe.
In Parkersburg, 6% of roads are in poor condition, and 14% are mediocre. While 60% are rated good, rough roads are still costing local drivers an extra $376 per year in vehicle wear and tear.
Morgantown fared the worst in the study, with 29% of roads listed as poor and 22% as mediocre. The Weirton-Steubenville area has 18% of roads in poor condition, costing drivers an additional $625 annually in vehicle expenses.
Traffic and Safety Concerns
Road quality isn’t the only issue. The report highlighted growing traffic congestion, especially in Wheeling, where drivers lose an average of 39 hours and 18 gallons of fuel each year — adding up to $1,069 annually per driver in wasted time and fuel.
Charleston, Weirton-Steubenville, and Parkersburg all experience varying levels of traffic-related delays and costs, although none were as severe as Wheeling.
Traffic fatalities are also on the rise. From 2019 to 2023, 1,340 people died in vehicle crashes across the state. In 2023, West Virginia’s fatality rate was 1.64 per 100 million miles traveled — the fifth highest in the country.
Transportation officials point to distracted driving, especially from cellphone use, as a key factor in the increase. “Any death on a road in West Virginia is one too many,” said Rumbaugh. He emphasized that the state must implement better safety measures such as improved signage, rumble strips, lighting, and road design.
A Call for Continued Investment
Jason Pizatella, CEO of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, called the recent infrastructure investments “transformational,” but warned that they are not enough to maintain long-term road and bridge quality.
“The system still doesn’t meet what West Virginians expect,” Pizatella said, stressing the need for continued support at both the state and federal level.
Secretary Rumbaugh echoed that message. “The investments we’ve made helped, but they didn’t solve all our problems,” he said. As funding levels drop and inflation continues, the state is now looking to reorganize and operate more efficiently. The goal: increase the number of “good” roads and reduce “poor” infrastructure statewide.
With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act set to expire in 2026, both state and national policymakers will need to act fast if West Virginia is to stay on course.
