This bill aims to enhance the maintenance and acquisition of orphan roads and bridges by establishing a county and municipal orphan road program in West Virginia. It grants authority to the West Virginia Division of Highways to create a program that allows counties and municipalities to acquire and maintain roads and bridges that are not currently managed by any governmental entity. The bill outlines specific criteria for designating roads and bridges as orphan, including their existence as of January 1, 2025, public accessibility, and lack of maintenance by any governmental agency. Additionally, it mandates the development of an identification program for orphan roads and bridges, public notification procedures for proposed acquisitions, and funding sources for their maintenance.

Furthermore, the bill introduces provisions for creating Infrastructure Only Common Ownership Associations, which can manage specific infrastructure elements such as common roadways and utilities. It establishes guidelines for the creation, management, and termination of these associations, ensuring uniformity with existing laws. The bill also requires the Division of Highways to publish an online map of state roads by July 1, 2026, to enhance transparency and public access to information regarding road maintenance. Overall, the legislation seeks to empower local governments to improve infrastructure while providing legal protections against potential litigation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 8-13B-1, 8-13B-2, 8-13B-3, 8-13B-4, 8-13B-5, 8-13B-6, 8-13B-7