More and more, we are learning that West Virginia’s highway needs, both statewide and in this region, are critical.

That has been brought to the forefront repeatedly over the past few months, most recently this week when a new coalition, forged to speak with “one voice,” told local leaders that highway building is vital to promoting and sustaining economic growth in West Virginia.

We applaud the efforts of West Virginians for Better Transportation to make the public aware of the problem. And let’s face it — there is a problem. There is simply not enough money to address highway needs.

Over the next two decades, the coalition points out, the state Division of Highways will struggle to find $20 billion for 170 projects it considers vital to the economy.

Of course, some of those needs are right here in southern West Virginia; therefore, we must continue to support the Beckley-Raleigh County Transportation Authority, which was also formed earlier this year to speak with one voice in pushing for local highway projects. Most notable among those is the Z-Way project which will go a long way in addressing transportation and economic issues in Beckley, the Raleigh County Memorial Airport area and the Beaver-Daniels-Shady Spring area.

The local group is more in tune with what needs to be done here. Furthermore, it has a specific plan.

There is wonderful access to the Beckley area now, what with Interstates 77 and 64 and Appalachian Corridor L (U.S. 19). But once inside that network, highway infrastructure to support continued growth and economic development is lacking. The Z-Way would answer that.

Wyoming and McDowell counties have gone far too long without a four-lane highway. The Coalfields Expressway was designed to solve that problem, yet construction proceeds at a snail’s pace.

It’s important that projects like these remain at the forefront when highway funds are appropriated, and we’re confident the Beckley-Raleigh County Transportation Authority will do just that.

Those funds, right now, are scarce. But it’s like anything else. The answer is to cut spending elsewhere or raise more revenue.

And in government, revenue means tax dollars.

Mike Clowser, executive director of the Contractors Association of West Virginia, said the state lost $53 million in highway revenue when Gov. Joe Manchin asked the Legislature last year to forgo an automatic tax increase tied to the wholesale price of gasoline. The governor acted after wholesale prices soared following Hurricane Katrina.

Looking back at the situation from last year it may have been the right decision at that time, but the roadways budget has suffered because of it. The picture has also changed over the past few months since proposed road projects in southern West Virginia have been backburnered in Charleston.

Now, with gas prices bordering on all-time highs, nobody really wants higher taxes either.

It’s become a sticky situation, but when it comes to highway needs, there may not be an alternative.

Without such infrastructure, there can be no growth. The tax base itself will dwindle as jobs and people go elsewhere.

We’ve been down that proverbial road before.

But we must emphasize if we don’t receive firm commitments from state officials that our highways in southern West Virginia are going to be built in a timely fashion, we can’t support any additional taxes designed to build roads.