West Virginia to conduct comprehensive review of all bridges as state targets repairs

WEST VIRGINIA (WCHS) — On Wednesday, Gov. Patrick Morrisey announced a statewide plan to review every bridge in the state.

Bumpy roads and crumbling bridges are something drivers in West Virginia like Molly Darby are all too familiar with.

“We just bought a newer car and we actually got to take out additional insurance just for the tires, because you worry about that,” Darby said. “You worry about the popping and that can be a huge added expense to a lot of other people.”

About 19% of the state’s 7,300 bridges were deemed to be in poor condition in the 2025 infrastructure report card.

“We have DOT conducting a comprehensive review of all the bridges across West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “We have to be proactive. We have to stay ahead of maintenance and never let our state fall behind.”

Transportation Secretary Todd Rumbaugh said his team at the DOT is working to lower the number of problem bridges that effect every corner of the state.

“We are doing a comprehensive review of all of our bridges,” Rumbaugh said. “We’ve been going through making priorities and we currently have our statewide transportation improvement plan out there for public comment.”

One massive step being taken on the infrastructure front is the nearly $75 million bridge deck replacement on the Fort Hill Bridge in Charleston, one of the most traveled bridges in the state.

“This rehab project represents a once in a generational investment in our economic corridor,” Rumbaugh said. “It’s about much more than concrete, structural steel and orange barrels. It’s about safety reliability and planning for the next 50 years.”