October 17, 2011

Manchin, Rockefeller Announce More Than $3.5M to Improve Parkersburg Transit Facility and Replace Monongalia Co. Buses

Washington, D.C. —U.S. Senators Joe Manchin and Jay Rockefeller (both D-W.Va.) today announced more than $3.5 million in federal grants to build a new transportation facility in Parkersburg and to replace rundown buses in Monongalia County. The project is funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation. 

“Making infrastructure improvements to our transportation facilities is an investment that helps create jobs and boost the economy here in West Virginia and across America,” Senator Manchin said. “Constructing this new building in Parkersburg and replacing aging buses will help keep our transportation system thriving and get employees to their jobs.”

“The construction and operation of the transportation facility in Parkersburg and the replacement of buses in Monongalia County are critical to residents in those communities and in the surrounding regions,” said Rockefeller, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.  “This funding is an investment in our state’s economic security and transportation future.  Jobs and transportation efficiency are some of my top priorities.” 

The Mid-Ohio Valley Transit Authority will receive $3 million to build a new maintenance facility in Parkersburg. The building will be designed with energy and environmental features, including solar panels, a water reclamation system and porous asphalt, which decreases the total amount of waterway runoff. 

The Monongalia County Urban Mass Transit Authority will receive $560,000 to replace public transportation buses in its fleet that have surpassed their useful lives.

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