CHARLESTON, W.Va. — State Transportation Secretary Tom Smith is ready to hit the road to talk about the roads.
During an appearance on MetroNews “Talkline” Tuesday, Smith said he and other engineers in the department are ready to explain the projects that are part of the road bond issue up for vote Oct. 7.
“If you would like to have this presentation at your Rotary Club, at the Chamber of Commerce, I will come out or I’ll have other engineers come out and we’ll explain it in that setting. So you can have your questions answered,” Smith said.
The DOH is promoting 40 projects for nearly $1.9 billion in 25 counties. Smith said the projects on the list are the most expensive projects. Other monies from Garvee bonds and the state Road Fund will pay for a host of other projects, a list 16 pages long.
Smith said the primary message to get out to voters between now and Oct. 7 is the bond issue doesn’t require new taxes.
“It’s the biggest misconception out there. We just need to be very clear that the resources to pay for that bond program were passed in the past legislative session,” Smith said.
That’s a projected $130 million for the debt service on the bonds coming from increased DMV fees, a reworking of the state gasoline tax and an increase in the privilege tax on purchases of automobiles.
A bond defeat would slow down the pace of road construction, Smith said.
“If you are not able to fund those big projects with the bond proceeds, then you’re going to have to use your regular funding and fund the projects that way,” Smith said. “So that will actually take away resources that would have flowed to the other counties.”
Smith said projects in all 55 counties will see work done whether it’s through the bond, Garvee bonds or State Road Fund money.
“We have every county accounted for. Every single county gets millions of dollars,” Smith said.
The number to call to schedule a meeting is 304-558-0444.