In Numbers
West Virginia
Infrastructure
JENNIFER JETT PREZKOP
The dire condition of infrastructure today is a major chal-
lenge not only for the state of West Virginia but for the U.S.
as a whole. Last year, the American Society of Civil Engineers
(ASCE) Committee on American Infrastructure published the
2017 Infrastructure Report Card, ranking the U.S. based on
the following key criteria: capacity, condition, funding, future
need, operation and maintenance, public safety, resilience and
innovation. The U.S. earned a D+, which means that nation-
wide our infrastructure is in poor condition, showing signs of
significant deterioration with a strong risk of failure.
As part of the 2017 report card, the ASCE also prepared state
and regional reports highlighting strengths and weaknesses in
each state. While West Virginia was not given a letter grade,
based on the state’s report it is clear that West Virginia’s in-
frastructure is as much of an issue as national infrastructure.
For example, findings from 2017 show drinking water-re-
lated needs in West Virginia are estimated at $1.16 billion,
and wastewater-related needs total $3.26 billion. There are
285 dams that are considered to have high-hazard potential
and 10 sites on the National Priorities List for their release
or threatened release of hazardous substances, pollutants or
contaminants. The state’s schools have an estimated capital
expenditure gap of $265 million, and the parks system is sit-
ting at $44.2 million in unmet needs.
While no reports have been created for the year 2018, last
year’s reporting is an eye-opening revelation on the challenges
our communities, businesses and transportation modes will
continue to face unless these conditions are addressed.
Because we can’t address our challenges—and identify op-
portunities for economic growth—unless we know where we
currently stand, here West Virginia Executive reviews some
key facts about the Mountain State’s infrastructure.
To learn more about the 2017 Infrastructure Report Card
and view the full report as well as recommendations for key
solutions and game-changing factors, visit www.infrastruc-
turereportcard.org.
WEST VIRGINIA INFRASTRUCTURE
23 public-use airports 38,770 miles of public roads
680 miles of inland waterways 2,226 miles of rail
37 miles of levees in the 9.4 million annual unlinked
National Levee Database
48
WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE
passenger trips via transit systems