The West Virginia Legislature voted the week of 3/9/08 to allow tolls to be put on roads in the state for transportation funding. Outside contractors could take over the roads, and charge us tolls for using roads we must use all the time; this may be just for maintenance; they would not even have to build new roads. The problem is that they only mentioned Rts. 340, 9, and 522 in the legislation; the majority are in Morgan County. Do we want to continue to be the cash cow for the rest of the state Our delegates and senators of the E. Panhandle voted against it but it passed anyway. Governor Manchin did not veto the bill. Send a message to the Governor. Call or write him immediately, and sign our petition. A WV Highway transportation study has shown that the only current candidate is Route 522 in Morgan County. Supposedly this toll booth would be on the new 522 incorporated into a bypass, according to 6/23/08 statements by the WV Division of Highways. Originally, the old 522 was to have the tolls to fund the new highway, according to a news release 5/22/08. But as opposition grew, statements were revised to state the toll would be on the new four-lane highway. So, we won the first battle. However, this would cut us off from Maryland doctor appts., shopping, etc. unless we paid a toll to cross the bridge at Hancock. The old 522 could be closed and given back to private use by U.S. Silica. We\'d have no choice but to pay the toll on the new highway, as much as $1.50 for cars to $4.50 for trucks, unless we could somehow go around it, using Fairview Drive or River Road. The WV Division of Highways has decided not to include Routes 340 or 9 in possible toll road areas. The study says these roads have less traffic and are, in effect, shorter in the state; Route 522 is 19 miles, and they are not that long in WV territory. But we all know that those roads take a lot of tourist traffic, through traffic, and commuters. So, I cannot understand how they would be traveled less. But aside from that, I do not agree on having any toll roads in the state except for the current WV Turnipke which has been that way. Transportation Secretary claims the toll booths will not be built if the community is not behind the concept. Sign this petition and Write the WV Division of Highways also and say NO. The address is: West Virginia Division of Highways Building 5 Rom A-137 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, WV 25304-0440 And while you\'re here, check out my petitions for 1. A retail store in Morgan County, www.ipetitions.com/petition/Morgancountystore 2. For tax relief, www.ipetitions.com/petition/morgancountytaxrelief 3. To change the Manchin Bill 239, www.ipetitions.com/petition/ChangeManchinBill239. There are serious flaws with the governor\'s so-called tax relief for seniors.

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