ST. ALBANS, W.Va. – Governor Patrick Morrisey today joined transportation officials and industry partners at Triton Construction to sign legislation supporting work zone safety while outlining ongoing efforts to strengthen West Virginia’s transportation system.
“West Virginians deserve a transportation system they can rely on,” said Governor Morrisey. “With these investments and reforms, we are delivering immediate relief for drivers while building a stronger, more stable foundation for the future.”
West Virginia maintains one of the largest state-owned highway systems in the country, with more than 38,000 miles of public roads and over 7,000 bridges, creating significant maintenance demands across the state’s mountainous terrain.
Since January, Division of Highways crews have patched more than 18,000 miles of potholes, with the state on track to address all reported potholes by the end of May. A $125 million supplemental investment requested by the Governor during the legislative session is supporting more than 350 projects and over 580 miles of paving, delivering immediate relief for drivers and helping stabilize road conditions for the long term.
Governor Morrisey signed Senate Bill 692, which authorizes the use of green flashing lights on Division of Highways vehicles to improve visibility during road work and snow removal, and House Bill 4538, which increases penalties for speeding and distracted driving in active work zones when workers are present.
“These measures strengthen safety for the men and women working on our roads and ensure there are real consequences for dangerous behavior in work zones,” Governor Morrisey said.
Residents are encouraged to report roadway issues through the Division of Highways’ Safety With Action Today (SWAT) unit by calling 1-833-WV-ROADS