Capito, Manchin Announce $4.1 Million for Nine West Virginia Transportation Initiatives

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $4,134,870 from the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for nine West Virginia transportation initiatives. The funding will be used to construct a new terminal building at the North Central West Virginia Airport, promote roadway safety throughout the state, analyze asphalt options for West Virginia highways and support West Virginia University (WVU) students pursuing advanced degrees in transportation-related disciplines.

“Improving our roads and airports is essential to the future of our state, and I’m thrilled to see these nine awards heading to our communities that will expand our air travel capacity, make our roads safer, and support our state’s department of transportation,” Senator Capito said. “Improving the infrastructure of our state, and making it easier for both West Virginians to travel and for visitors to come and see the Mountain State, have been major priorities for me. I will continue to use my role in the U.S. Senate to direct support for infrastructure projects like these into West Virginia.”

“I am pleased DOT is investing in these nine critical initiatives across West Virginia to improve safety and efficiency for West Virginians and Americans traveling to and within our great state,” Senator Manchin said. “The funding announced today will help construct a new terminal building at North Central West Virginia Airport and develop comprehensive roadway safety plans in seven West Virginia cities and counties. These investments will boost local tourism and spur economic development across the state, as well as support analyzing asphalt solutions for West Virginia highways and providing assistance to WVU students pursuing advanced transportation degrees. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I will continue advocating for resources to support transportation hubs and opportunities across the Mountain State.”

Individual awards listed below:

• $2,162,959 – Benedum Airport Authority
  • This funding is made possible through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and will be used to construct a new 52,600 square foot terminal building at the North Central West Virginia Airport in Harrison County.

• $640,000 – City of Park Falls
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Park Falls.

• $398,040 – City of Bluefield
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Bluefield.

• $250,000 – City of New Martinsville
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in New Martinsville.

• $200,000 – City of Charleston
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Charleston.

• $200,000 – City of Clarksburg
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Clarksburg.

• $199,200– Fayette-Raleigh Metropolitan Planning Organization
  • This funding is made possible through DOT’s Safe Streets for All program and will be used to develop a comprehensive safety action plan to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries in Fayette and Raleigh counties.

• $79,671 – West Virginia Department of Transportation Division of Highways
  • This funding is made possible through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and will be used to implement a project entitled, “Investigating Sustainable Asphalt Mix Design Solutions in West Virginia.” The project will analyze different asphalt mix designs for environmental impacts, examine performance and economic trade-offs and develop tools best suited for West Virginia’s transportation infrastructure.

• $5,000 – West Virginia University
• This funding will be used towards the Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program (DDETFP) at WVU to support students pursuing advanced degrees in transportation-related disciplines.

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