Despite declining employment, the Division of Highways says it will continue to provide West Virginians with a highway system that will guarantee the safe and efficient movement of people and goods across the state.
Currently, the DOH has vacant jobs in all 55 countries, but employment problems are most serious in seven: Cabell, Harrison, Jefferson, McDowell, Morgan, Pleasants and Pocahontas.
However, agency officials say offices in those counties remain adequately staffed to perform their necessary duties.
The Department of Transportation's "2008 Agency Sunset Review" recently revealed that at the end of 2007, 631 of 5,197 available jobs in DOH were unfilled.
That was almost one of every eight jobs.
The number of unfilled jobs has increased steadily since 2000.
In a news statement released Friday, DOT Secretary Paul Mattox said, "Even though employment numbers are lower than we would like, our mission isn't being sacrificed. We continue to efficiently build new roadways and maintain our existing roads for our citizens. That is evident in our program for this year."
During 2008, Mattox said, the DOH will continue building major highways, including the Fairmont Connector, Corridor H and U.S. Route 35, as well as major bridge projects, such as the Interstate 64 bridge in Dunbar.
Many resurfacing projects are also scheduled throughout the state.
Mattox said the DOH "core maintenance program" will continue repaving potholes and doing snow and ice removal, as needed, throughout the year.
To help employees with those tasks, Mattox said, the DOH has recently purchased a number of new trucks and other equipment.
"West Virginia's taxpayers can continue to rely on the Division of Highways to utilize its budget resourcefully and provide them with the highway system and services they deserve," Mattox added.
