West Virginia Turnpike tolls may get a price hike

For many drivers, traveling on a safe road is essential. But safety comes at a cost. West Virginia Turnpike drivers may soon need to hand over a little more cash when passing through the tolls.

The Governor's Blue Ribbon Commission on Highways announced a plan to keep the Turnpike tolls for another 30 years and increase the current fee of two dollars. The goal is to generate money needed to repair and maintain state roads and bridges.

"The only toll we just went through was two dollars. I'd be glad to pay another dollar to help maintain the roads, definitely," said Diana Bernard.

The state says by increasing tolls, the state could generate up to 50 million dollars annually in needed revenue.  West Virginia needs more than a half-billion dollars in yearly road funding just to maintain current conditions.  Yet a possible hike in tolls has some commuters worried. 

"One trip from Lewisburg to Huntington, you know passing through these two tolls, I'd hate to have to pay 16 bucks a day to go back and forth," said Shawn Smith. He makes the commute several times a month.

The proposal is three-pronged and also includes raising certain DMV fees and using taxes on purchases of auto parts for the state's road fund. 

"We need safety, I mean we'll just see what happens when the toll goes up," said Smith.