Bill to double unpaved secondary‑road funding is tabled after committee debate

Del. Davis presented HB 14‑80 to increase the maximum total annual allotment made by the Commonwealth Transportation Board for certain unpaved secondary highways from $25 million to $50 million, saying many localities rely on that funding to maintain rural roads.

James Hudson of the Virginia Association of Counties and Franklin County administrator Steve Sandy testified in support, describing maintenance burdens and the limited purchasing power of current per‑locality allocations. VDOT said the department uses unpaved-road funds for a range of improvements and has flexibility to pursue alternatives based on local needs, but acknowledged that money for a higher cap would likely come from other program areas.

Committee members expressed concern that raising the cap would require offsetting funds and moved to lay the bill on the table; the clerk recorded the bill as gently laid on the table by a 7‑3 vote.