PRINCETON, W.Va. — West Virginia Parkways Authority member Bill Seaver is talking to anyone who will listen about why he thinks taking tolls off the West Virginia Turnpike is a bad economic idea.
“Finally, I just decided I’m going to put forth my feelings on the thing,” Seaver told MetroNews. “I think if we remove these tolls on the turnpike it would basically be devastating to the state.”
Seaver sent a letter to all 134 members of the state legislature last week amid discussion at the Statehouse about the future of the tolls.
“They’re talking about wanting to remove an $85- to $95-million stream of revenue, and 84 percent of it is paid for by out-of-state vehicles,” Seaver said.
The Mercer County businessman said he’s also concerned about the futures of the 400 workers with the Parkways Authority.
A better idea, Seaver said, is paying off the bonds and dedicating a portion of the money to benefit the four turnpike counties.
Seaver said he hopes lawmakers take a cautious reproach to removing the tolls.
“The bills that they’re putting forth—the things they say are going to happen—are perchance,” he said. “Once you remove the tolls it’s almost impossible to put them back.”