CHARLESTON, W.Va. — As road construction projects begin later this year in connection to the sale of the $1.6 billion worth of bonds, West Virginians will be able to track the schedule for related projects using a website.
The proposed webpage is a joint effort between the state Auditor’s Office and the Department of Transportation. Secretary of Transportation Tom Smith said his office has worked with Auditor J.B. McCuskey in developing an online page dedicated to the timeline of projects.
“We’re committed to having this delivered in a very open way so that folks know what’s going on,” he said. “That’s going to be one of the early products we have out this year.”
The first wave of bonds is expected to begin being sold in May, totaling $800 million. At the top of the Transportation Department’s project list is adding a third lane to a nine-mile stretch of the West Virginia Turnpike near Beckley. The work will take place between the U.S. Route 19 intersection and where Interstates 64 and 77 split.
Smith said visitors will be able to look at various projects online and see the costs, contractors and progress of work.
“The state auditor has talked about the need for them to be working with us, and we’re happy to do that,” he added.
McCuskey said in July 2017 people deserved to be able to see how money is being spent.