West Virignia’s Parkways Authority expects the budget for the next fiscal year to be only slightly different from the present fiscal year. General Manger Greg Barr says there is a projection toll revenues will drop in the coming year by about two-percent, so they are allowing for the decrease in their spending plan.
“The budget is very similar to the last couple of years,” Barr said.”We hope to achieve the goals of the budget and continue on with our program of maintenance and capital improvements to the road.”
The total package for the year will be in the neighborhood of $81 Million. Much of that is dedicated to paving. Barr said you can expect a lot of resurfacing work on the Turnpike this summer, mainly on the northern end.
“We’re covering the old concrete that’s been out there for 30 plus years. It’s gotten very rough and faulted,” said Barr. “What complicates the north and makes it more expensive to do is the median wall.”
Each time the pavement is installed it elevates the roadway a few inches, but the median wall has to also be raised to compensate for the rise because of federal highway standards. Barr says additional concrete will be added to the top of the median wall as the projects continue.
Resurfacing has been a priority for the Parkways Authority since 2010 when the toll increased to $2.00. Much of the additional revenue is dedicated to the upgrade. But, Barr said looming on the horizon is an even bigger price to replace, renovate, or at least resurface the highways’ 116 bridges.
“All of these bridge deck’s lifespans will be approaching the end of their life cycle at about the same time,” Barr said. “We’re looking at a program in 2019, after we catch the paving up, of prioritizing which ones need to be taken care of first.”
The Parkways Authority will finalize the budget at their June meeting.