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Building the Foundation for the Future
I have always believed that a modern, efficient highway system
is one of West Virginia's most pressing needs and is essential for promoting economic development and job creation in our state. Because of this unflagging belief, throughout my career, I have fought persistently and successfully for
funding for the Appalachian Development Highway System and for other critical road projects in our state. West Virginia has six corridors -- D, E, G, H, L, and Q -- on its portion of the thirteen-state Appalachian
Development Highway System. Four of these corridors are finished, providing access, promoting safety, and stimulating job creation. Today, portions of Corridor H and the Parkersburg bypass of Corridor D are the only
corridor segments remaining to be completed in West Virginia. But because of my amendment to the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st
Century, those Corridors and others throughout the Appalachian states are ensured of a consistent and reliable source of funding through the year 2003 to assist in their completion.  There is well-documented evidence that the Corridor highways, and, by extension, four-lane highways in general, result in
economic improvements in the counties they traverse. One study, in 1995, showed that the counties on the Corridor Highway system, when compared to similar counties elsewhere in the nation not on a major highway, grew 69
percent faster in income, 49 percent faster in earnings, and 6 percent faster in population.
A 1998 study looked at completed portions of 12 Corridor Highways.
That study found a net increase of 16,000 jobs along the 12 corridors by 1995, and anticipated a total of 42,000 jobs by 2015. These jobs, the report noted, would not have been created without the Corridor highways. While I have consistently fought for funding for roads and bridges in our state, I have also pushed for
funding for mass transit and river navigation systems to ensure that West Virginia has a well-balanced and comprehensive transportation network. Of course, air service is also an
important component in West Virginia's transportation infrastructure system, and, without a doubt, the availability of air service will be a key factor in West Virginia's economy in the future. To help ensure
continuing air service to the small rural airports of our state, I have been a longtime supporter of Essential Air Service -- a federally funded program designed to help put less populous areas on a more equal
footing with urban areas when it comes to air travel. I have, as well, supported federal programs that provide funding for improvements to airports, including funding requests to enable the airports in our state to
plan for the future. Moreover, whenever possible, I have worked to ensure that West Virginia's airports have the resources they need to provide safe and efficient air service for their passengers.
As I have argued for many years, the United States cannot hope to compete effectively against other nations if we fail to invest in our domestic infrastructure -- both physical and human. Modern highways,
waterways, and airports are critical components of the kind of foundation that is necessary for a diverse and financially sound economy. Within the limited budgetary resources available at the
federal level, I have done and will continue to do all that I can to help West Virginia develop just such a firm foundation. |
