New transportation secretary pledges focus on maintenance, drainage and deficient bridges

Mister Rumbaugh, the newly appointed secretary of the Department of Transportation and Highway Commissioner, told the Joint Committee on Government Finance that his near‑term priorities are maintaining roads, addressing drainage infrastructure and reducing the number of deficient bridges.

“The most important thing is maintaining our roads,” Rumbaugh said after his introduction to the committee. He said drainage systems across the state are “out of date” and that failing or collapsed pipes are contributing to flooding in some areas. “We need to update them, replace the pipes, in order to help prevent some of this flooding we're seeing,” he said.

Rumbaugh also said the state has a high number of bridges rated in poor condition and that his office will seek to lower that number. He described the current statewide transportation improvement plan as having shifted funding toward expansion projects in recent years and said he will review the plan to rebalance funding toward maintenance and pavement preservation.

Committee members offered support. One member thanked Rumbaugh for his integrity and experience and said highway districts and contractors praised his fairness and toughness. Another asked whether the department had discussed completing U.S. 48 to the Virginia line; Rumbaugh said he had spoken with Virginia’s secretary of transportation and that work on West Virginia’s side must come first.

Why it matters: Road and bridge maintenance and drainage upgrades affect public safety, freight movement and local economies. Changes to project prioritization and the statewide transportation improvement plan could alter funding flows across districts.