Charleston, West Virginia – A series of recent legislative proposals and funding announcements concerning infrastructure improvements in West Virginia have drawn scrutiny, with some observers questioning their practical impact amidst ongoing challenges facing the state. While officials tout progress, concerns remain about the adequacy of resources allocated to address long-standing issues, particularly in the southern region of the state.
On , West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey visited the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine (WVSOM) to announce a new water infrastructure project. Details of the project were not immediately available, but the announcement signals a continued focus on addressing the state’s aging water systems. This follows a proposal for a $250 million drinking water bill, spearheaded by a bipartisan group of lawmakers, aimed at improving water infrastructure across the state.
These initiatives come as West Virginia grapples with significant infrastructure deficits. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) West Virginia Section released its 2025 Report Card on , assigning the state’s infrastructure a cumulative grade of ‘D+’. While this represents an improvement from the 2020 report, it remains below the national average of ‘C’ and underscores the substantial work needed to modernize the state’s systems.
The ASCE report highlighted several key areas of concern. Bridges and wastewater infrastructure received the lowest grades, while dams, drinking water, and roads showed some improvement. The report attributes the overall ‘D+’ grade to a combination of factors, including significant funding gaps, a shrinking population leading to reduced user fees, aging infrastructure exceeding its intended lifespan, and the increasing frequency of extreme weather events.
West Virginia’s population has been in decline for decades. Between 2010 and 2020, the state lost approximately 3.2%, or around 59,000 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. This trend has continued, contrasting with population growth in the United States overall. The demographic shift poses a challenge to maintaining and expanding infrastructure, as it reduces the tax base and potential revenue streams needed for investment.
The state has begun to receive increased federal funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), which the ASCE report acknowledges as a positive development. However, the report cautions that a ‘D+’ grade is still insufficient to meet the needs of West Virginia residents and businesses. The ASCE report card assessed eighteen infrastructure areas: aviation, bridges, broadband, dams, drinking water, energy, hazardous waste, inland waterways, levees, parks, ports, rail, roads, schools, solid waste, stormwater, transit, and wastewater.
Recent grant allocations further illustrate the ongoing need for infrastructure investment. A $9.5 million grant package has been earmarked for flood-hit southern West Virginia, aimed at addressing damage and bolstering resilience in the region. This funding is particularly crucial given the vulnerability of communities in the southern part of the state to flooding and other natural disasters.
Despite these developments, skepticism persists regarding the effectiveness of current efforts. Some critics argue that the legislative proposals are largely symbolic, lacking the substantial financial commitment needed to address the root causes of the state’s infrastructure problems. One source, speaking off the record, characterized the recent announcements as “non-issues” designed to create the illusion of progress without delivering meaningful change. This source specifically argued that a far more substantial investment – “hundreds of millions more” – is required to adequately address the water infrastructure needs of southern West Virginia.
The challenges facing West Virginia’s infrastructure are not unique to the state. Many older industrial states in the United States are grappling with similar issues, including aging infrastructure, declining populations, and limited financial resources. However, West Virginia’s situation is particularly acute, given its reliance on industries that have experienced long-term decline and its geographic challenges, which make infrastructure development and maintenance more difficult and costly.
The long-term implications of inadequate infrastructure investment are significant. Deteriorating infrastructure can hinder economic growth, reduce quality of life, and pose risks to public health and safety. Addressing these challenges will require a sustained commitment from state and federal policymakers, as well as innovative solutions to overcome financial and logistical hurdles. The coming years will be critical in determining whether West Virginia can overcome its infrastructure deficits and build a more sustainable future.
