Published: July 02, 2009 10:58 pm      

Lawmaker insists on Aug. 1 toll hike protest

Aug. 1 ushers in new fares on the West Virginia Turnpike and one critical legislator is resolved to stage a protest, but his initial plan of blocking traffic at the Ghent plaza could change by then to a different form of dissent.

Angered by the 60 percent across-the-board increase for passenger cars and commercial rigs alike, Delegate Clif Moore, D-McDowell, initially planned a one-vehicle blockade at the Ghent toll plaza but wasn’t specific Thursday on just what he intends to do next month.

A day after the historic increase was approved, Moore said Thursday he is considering “the mode I’m going to take it,” without specifying any options.

Two things were clear: Moore isn’t seeking any fellow sympathizers to join him, and the issue over turnpike operations isn’t going to die in the Legislature.

“I don’t want anybody else to run afoul of the law,” said Moore, who earlier voiced a willingness to go to jail, if needed, to dramatize his opposition to the higher tolls.

“I’m not encouraging anyone, but if they want to come out, it’s up to them. But I’m going to do something and I’m going to do it the first day.”

At the West Virginia Parkways Authority’s three-hour meeting Wednesday at the Charleston Civic Center, Delegate John Shott, R-Mercer, suggested the toll issue wasn’t going to fade and that the turnpike operation would be considered by the Legislature.

“It’s not a dead issue,” Moore agreed.

“Delegate Shott said the Legislature is willing to work with them, but I’m not so sure they want to be worked with. It’s like Gestapo tactics — do what we say.”

Moore said he was “past upset” with the turnpike administration, acknowledging he became more peeved after getting nowhere with Gov. Joe Manchin’s staff on a proposal by him and Sen. John Pat Fanning, also D-McDowell, for implementing the increase gradually, such as 25 cents every six months.

“They didn’t want this,” he said. “They were hell-bent on what they were going to do.”

Moore issued a second option, raising tolls only to the minimum needed to cover the bond test and provide money for repairs on the 88-mile highway, 55 percent of which is considered in fair to poor condition.

Likewise, that suggestion fell on deaf ears, Moore said, adding the higher fares would drive some motorists away, especially commercial truckers, and, consequently, the turnpike would see its toll collections fall. Not only that, he said, but southern residents would avoid trips to Charleston for shopping and medical attention and drive instead to Virginia cities.

“I’ve talked to some truckers who say they’re going to find alternate routes around it,” he said.

Manchin applauded the authority’s “professional, compassionate and responsible approach” in handling the toll increase, saying it affords future leaders to decide better in 2019 whether to turn the highway over to the Division of Highways or leave it as a toll road.

The governor also saluted the decision to pay off Tamarack’s remaining $6.2 million bonds in 90 days, freeing up money annually for the upkeep of the road.

“We all know that we have a critical and immediate need to maintain the turnpike and to find the revenue that will allow us to do that,” he said.

“This new toll plan is a responsible decision that gives the authority the tools they need to bring the road up to standards without overburdening the most frequent users of the highway.”

Manchin thanked southern residents who appeared at the four mandated public hearings in advance of the authority’s decision.

“With their input and ideas, I think we’ve got a good plan that meets our bonding and maintenance requirements, yet eases the increase for most West Virginians who will use the roadway.”

— E-mail: mannix@register-herald.com