CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A House-passed bill would allow the state Division of Highways to contract with private companies to handle snow removal in Monongalia and Preston counties.
The bill, House Bill 2960, is currently before the Senate Finance Committee with less than two weeks to go before the end of the regular session.
Bill sponsor Del. David McCormick, R-Monongalia, said snow removal from the DOH has been undependable, creating extended unsafe driving conditions for extended periods of time.
Sen. Mike Oliverio, R-Monongalia, plans to support the legislation. Oliverio spearheaded an effort to get the DOH to contract out ditching maintenance last year and has long believed there are staffing problems in District 4 of the DOH.
“The state Division of Highways has not been able to keep up with the demands in our area,” Oliverio said. “Hopefully, a pilot program will give them a better opportunity to do that and prove this is a way to keep our citizens safe.”
The program in the House bill would be similar to the ditching contract, but it would involve a completely different operation and cover a larger area.
“We are hopeful we can establish some type of pilot program where the Division of Highways will enter into contracts with private companies to help in the removal of snow and ice,” Oliverio said.
Oliverio said it’s a safety issue. Monongalia County is home to the two largest hospital systems in the state—WVU Medicine and Mon Health Systems. The two hospital systems, WVU Medicine Children’s Hospital and the WVU Transplant Alliance, account for well over 1,000 treatment beds.
“In Monongalia County we have the state’s preeminent health care facilities, and we have to be able to get our health care workers to those facilities and get the patients there for care as well,” Oliverio said.
The bill’s chance of final passage was improved when it was only referenced to a single committee, Finance, instead of two.
Oliverio is hopeful of final passage.
“So, I will be advocating for the bill over here on the senate side, and we’ll try to get this across the finish line,” Oliverio said.