Transportation Secretary Stephen Todd Rumbaugh updated lawmakers in Charleston regarding major infrastructure projects and budget challenges.
Much of Rumbaugh’s presentation concerned projects on the the Eugene A. Carter Memorial Bridge in Charleston.
The bridge, which carries Interstate-64 over the Kanawha River and carries around 100,000 vehicles daily, is set to undergo a rehabilitation that will span from roughly mid-January to December 2027. In the interim, Rumbaugh informed lawmakers of work to pave both ends of the bridge.
“Before the end of the year, you will have the whole area in Charleston paved, along with those areas redone with the high-friction treatment,” Rumbaugh said. “We are also having folks go out and they’re looking at the signing.”
Lawmakers pressed Rumbaugh on the elevated interstate at it enters Charleston, as several high-profile accidents have occurred there this summer.
“They will be adding additional pavement markings and the pavement marking delineation out there and barrier delineation, which means they’ll be adding more reflectors on the barrier,” Rumbaugh said. “You’ll see the outside of those barriers as you’re going around those curves, too.”
Delegate Dana Ferrell (R-Kanawha, 06) asked whether there would be any flashing lights in the area. Rumbaugh replied that he’s not sure about flashing lights at the moment, but there is signage that he’s confident will be updated.
“I know there will be the 50 mile-an-hour warning-type yellow signs that will be put up out there,” Rumbaugh said. “There’s already 50 mile-an-hour warning on the I-64 up on the large sign. But, some of those are getting old and worn, so we have a signing contract out to replace signing.”
He also addressed his agency’s budget challenges that have worsened due to the recent flooding events this summer.
According to Rumbaugh, FEMA estimates $12.5 million in road repairs, including 25,115.30 tons of roadway and shoulder stabilization and 375,372 feet of ditch obstruction removed.
He also mentioned the agency lost its equipment training facility, with several equipment simulators, losses that totaled $1 million.
“So, we’ve taken a pretty big hit out of this disaster, and none of those are eligible for federal aid at all,” Rumbaugh said.
With regard to other budget issues, he estimated one one privatized snow removal program, passed in the 2025 Regular Session, would cost the state more than $850 million if implemented statewide.
“We are underfunded by billions of dollars. I mean, in 2015, the Blue Ribbon Commission said we needed $750 million a year, or $1 billion a year to do expansion, which is to increase paved roads and expand the system,” Rumbaugh said. “And that was, you know, 11 years ago. So a billion dollars 11 years ago was a lot more than additional funding. We’re doing well to maintain what we have, let alone expand.”
