H. B. 3119

(By Delegate Compton)
[Introduced March 30, 2001; referred to the
Committee on Roads and Transportation.]

A BILL to amend article four, chapter seventeen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section fifty-five, relating to requiring the development of a state transportation plan; and imposing a moratorium on the construction of new access to state highways until after the Legislature can review the plan.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article four, chapter seventeen of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section fifty-five, to read as follows:

§17-4-55. State transportation plan; moratorium on access to state roads.

(a) The Legislature finds there is a need for the state to have a comprehensive transportation plan that:
(1) Outlines a transportation system for West Virginia that moves people and goods safely and efficiently, strengthens our economy, protects our environment, and supports our quality of life;
(2) Addresses transportation's role in generating sprawling, uncontrolled development that can create congestion and capacity loss;
(3) Makes provisions to avoid too many access points onto roadways that may result in vehicle conflicts, reduced safety and a general deterioration in traffic flow; and
(4) Addresses the effect of highway access on land use and development, including the coordination of transportation planning with land use planning and development to prohibit, or at least minimize, development in areas which are likely to be required to meet transportation needs in the future.
(b) The division of highways shall prepare a comprehensive transportation plan. The plan shall, at a minimum, address the items mentioned in subsection (a) of this section. The commissioner shall submit the plan to the Legislature by the first day of December, two thousand one by filing it with the legislative librarian.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, until the first day of April, two thousand two, no new:
(1) Points of access to any state highway to be used for commercial, industrial or mercantile purposes may be approved; and
(2) Grade crossings or entrance ramps to any state highway may be constructed.

NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to require the development of a state transportation plan and impose a moratorium on the construction of a new access to state highways until after the Legislature can review the plan.

This section is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.