700 +
PROJECTS
$ 2.97B FUNDING
“ The DOT is first and foremost a maintenance organization , and you have to take care of what you have before you start building and expanding ,” says Wriston .
Wriston believes that with the revitalized approach the DOT is taking , including using asset management concepts and philosophies and data-driven decision making with an emphasis on transparency and accountability , West Virginians should expect to see a vast improvement in their commutes and travels and that the impact of these investments will be felt for years to come .
“ Anytime a business or corporation wants to move and start an operation in an area , the first thing they look at is the school system and the second thing they look at is the roads ,” says Wriston . “ Corporations want to be good corporate citizens , and they want to be part of the communities . The only way they can do that is through the connectivity of the highway system . The highway system becomes more and more important as those businesses move in and start operations . The highway system is an economic driver and probably the best return on investment you could make .”
Another area the DOT is focusing on is public transportation , inspired in part by the Biden administration ’ s Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act , which authorized up to $ 108 billion for public transportation , the largest federal investment in public transportation in U . S . history . Wriston has worked with Senators Shelley Moore Capito and Joe Manchin to support the bipartisan legislation .
“ West Virginia has one of the oldest populations in the country , and many folks are at a point where they rely on public transportation to get them to the doctor or the grocery store ,” he says . “ We are always looking for ways to improve that service . We have an excellent transit department and transit agency that help local transit agencies in every way possible . We have been seeing the expansion of transit agencies over the last five years , but this will give us more resources to help . It will lower the cost / benefit ratios so we can have expanded services for those who need it .”
48,000 EST . JOBS
1,200 +
EST . MILES IMPACTED
Wriston is proud of the fact that travelers can now board a public transit bus in Marlinton , travel to Smithers , make a connection and take it to Charleston .
“ To make it from Marlinton to Charleston on public transit is an amazing feat ,” he says . “ As we build it out , I would equate it to building the interstate system 70 years ago . Putting that interstate system in place changed this entire country . This transit system has that kind of potential , and I think we will be seeing the transit system in West Virginia grow .”
Wriston is proud of the work the DOT has done in the past few years and looks forward to his continued role in maintaining West Virginia ’ s transportation systems .
“ We have instilled a sense of pride in what we do ,” he says . “ We understand the significance of being a public servant , and we take what we do every day seriously because every transportation worker in this state touches every life in this state .”
Connecting West Virginia ’ s Communities
Just as roadways connect West Virginians from Morgantown to Matewan , broadband access connects people to vital information , online education , new forms of digital and remote work , telehealth appointments and each other .
While Governor Justice vetoed the West Virginia House of Delegates 2022 bill relating to broadband , according to Robbie Morris , chairman of the West Virginia Broadband Enhancement Council , connectivity projects are alive and well in the Mountain State .
In October 2021 , Justice committed to a billion-dollar strategy for bringing broadband to 200,000 West Virginia homes and businesses . With federal , state and local dollars — including $ 300 million awarded to West Virginia ISPs through the Federal Communications Commission ’ s ( FCC ) Rural Digital Opportunity Fund and over $ 120 million awarded through other federal broadband expansion programs — combined with private-sector investments , the state is well on its way to the $ 1 billion mark .
More recently , Justice has worked alongside the West Virginia Legislature and the West Virginia Department of Economic Development ’ s Office of Broadband to create four programs to help distribute the more than $ 236 million
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WEST VIRGINIA EXECUTIVE