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By Bob Weaver
West Virginia's 2016 historic flood is calling for $39 million for road repair.
An already estimated $1 billion in annual funding is needed for repair and upkeep of West Virginia's current highway system. While more than $300 million was allocated for repairs in 2015, some state leaders seek supplementary funding for maintaining roads and bridges in the Mountain State.
West Virginia roads and bridges are in worst need of repairs in many years, with repaving now on a 33-year-cycle.
The floods from June 23 forever changed families and communities, including the roads that lead to them.
Of the 17 counties affected, the hardest hit were Clay and Nicholas, worth $8 million in road damage. Kanawha and Greenbrier counties suffered more than $5 million in road damage.
The Department of Highways will pay for the road repairs up front from the state road fund. The department expects to be reimbursed up to 75 percent from the Federal Highway Administration or FEMA.
It is likely the remainder of the money will come from the state's Rainy Day Fund, which was recently tapped to balance the West Virginia 2016-17 budget.
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