The State of West Virginia’s transportation system is funded not only by tax dollars, but by trust.

Every mile of paved roadway, every bridge rehabilitated, every slip or slide repaired, and every safety improvement delivered is made possible because taxpayers believe those investments will be used wisely, efficiently, and transparently. For those of us in the construction industry, that trust is not assumed–it is earned on every project, every day.

That responsibility has taken on even greater importance as conversations around future transportation funding continue to evolve. With discussions already beginning about what comes after the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires on September 30, 2026, policymakers and the public alike are asking important questions: are we getting value for the money invested? Are projects being delivered on time and on budget? Are safety and quality still top priorities?

In West Virginia, our state’s terrain, weather, and aging infrastructure make transportation construction more complex–and more costly–than in many other parts of the country. From landslides to bridge repairs and paving, ongoing work is vital to keeping our communities connected and safe. That is why stable, predictable funding is crucial.

The State Road Fund–the backbone of West Virginia’s highway program–relies heavily on the motor fuel excise tax, commonly known as the gas tax, along with motor vehicle registration fees and other user-based revenues. These are not abstract policy tools; they are the primary means by which we maintain and improve the roads and bridges that West Virginians depend on every day.

But like many states, West Virginia is facing a growing challenge as construction costs continue to rise. Moreover, as vehicles become more fuel-efficient and more electric vehicles (EV) join the road, the purchasing power of these traditional funding sources continues to erode. That challenge is now being debated at the national level as Congress considers the next federal surface transportation package. The federal gas tax has remained the same since 1993. Imagine trying to buy something in 2026 but your salary is still from 1993.

With that in mind, lawmakers in the House of Representatives have begun discussing proposals that would establish new annual user fees for electric vehicles to help support the Highway Trust Fund. This would be the first new user fee revenue in over thirty years. The fact is, every motorist who uses our roads and bridges should contribute fairly to the system that makes that travel possible.

For decades, the motor fuel tax has functioned as a user-based funding mechanism–those who drive more generally pay more into the system. As vehicle technology evolves, policymakers

at both the state and federal level will need to modernize how transportation infrastructure is funded while preserving the core principle of fairness and long-term sustainability.

In recent years, state leaders have taken important steps to address this reality. The Roads to Prosperity program and historic federal investments have allowed West Virginia to make meaningful progress in improving its transportation system. Those gains, however, depend on maintaining reliable, long-term funding.

As we look ahead, now is the time to have a thoughtful, fact-based conversation about how best to sustain West Virginia’s transportation system for the long term. Now that Congress has begun debate on the next five-year highway bill, we must focus on how we preserve the value of existing revenue streams so they can continue to support the infrastructure it was designed to fund.

At the same time, proposals that would reduce or temporarily suspend key revenue sources–such as the gas tax–may sound appealing in the short term, but they carry significant long-term consequences for the State Road Fund and the infrastructure investments West Virginians rely upon every day. Even a temporary disruption in funding will delay critical work, increase long-term costs, and ultimately undermine progress.

In the construction industry, our role extends beyond the jobsite. Delivering the highest-quality projects on time and on budget is the bare minimum. We must also educate stakeholders–policymakers, community leaders, and the public–about the realities of building and maintaining infrastructure in today’s environment. Rising material costs, workforce challenges, and regulatory requirements all play a role in project delivery, and understanding those factors is essential to informed decision-making.

Ultimately, building roads and bridges in West Virginia is about more than asphalt, concrete, and steel. It is about supporting economic growth, ensuring public safety, and maintaining the quality of life that our citizens expect and deserve.

Public trust is hard-earned and easily lost. As members of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, we are uniquely positioned to strengthen that trust–by delivering results, supporting sound and sustainable funding policies, and continuing to build a transportation system that serves our state not just today but for generations to come.

Jason Pizatella is the Chief Executive Officer of the Contractors Association of West Virginia (CAWV), the largest trade association representing all segments of the construction industry. CAWV is the state chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America and the American Road and Transportation Builders Association.