Southern counties of West Virginia are getting shortchanged in discretionary federal dollars left over once allocations are targeted for specific road projects, Rep. Nick Rahall says.

What’s more, Rahall feels Gov. Joe Manchin’s consultants failed to consider a plethora of technology and tourist gains before compiling a priority list in the six-year plan for road building.

No major projects in southern counties made the Top 10, provoking a sustained howl among lawmakers representing the region.

In an editorial board meeting Monday with The Register-Herald, the 3rd District congressman said he is partnering with the Manchin administration to take a fresh look at how roads can spur economic strides in the south.

Rahall pointed out the state faithfully puts up its 20 percent match when federal dollars are allocated to such projects as the Coalfields Expressway, King Coal Highway, Shawnee Parkway and New River Parkway.

"But my position is, the state can and should do more than just be a 20 percent partner," Rahall, D-W.Va., said.

Rahall reminded the newspaper of $404 million he secured this year for roads — more than Rep. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., in the 2nd District and Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.Va., in the 1st.

"Yes, a lot of that’s dictated and has to go to certain programs like bridge maintenance and maintaining what we have," he said.

"But after all that’s done, after that dictated funding, then there is discretionary monies left for the state to spend where they want. And that’s where we’re not getting our fair share down south — in that discretionary money that the state has."

Rahall agreed the south is in somewhat of a Catch-22 situation, with consultants refusing to assign top priorities to roads due to a lack of growth, while lawmakers in the region complain they cannot grow without the roads.

The congressman likened this dilemma to a line from a popular baseball film, "Build it and they will come."

"Critics say, ‘No, wait until they come before we build,’" he said. "You can’t wait until they come and then build it. That’s not reality."

Rahall says the south likely was omitted from the big picture because consultants simply didn’t consider such advances as the Hatfield-McCoy Trail, a technology center in Hinton, another technology facility at Raleigh County Memorial Airport and the federal prison in McDowell County.

"All of this was not well under way, I suspect, when these consultants that the governor appointed did their study," he said.

"So we need to factor in all of the economic projects we have going — transportation, technology and tourism. They have to be factored in. And I don’t believe they have been."

Rahall said a second study by the private sector might be in order.

Until then, the congressman says he is working with Manchin in partnership with the Rahall Transportation Institute to perform a follow-up study.

Rahall said he supports public-private endeavors, pointing out that coalbeds left once mining installations are completed can be paved at a savings, and, in other instances, are poised for industrial parks with water and sewage already hooked up.

"They’re going to get a return on their investments by an improved roadway and being able to haul more coal," he said, emphasizing the public-private partnerships don’t translate into tolls.

"I’m not advocating tolls at all. We’re already paying our tolls down south, thank you very much."

Rahall said he wouldn’t discount user fees, provided they’re approved by county referendums, and emphasized he wasn’t criticizing Manchin over the road controversy.

"The governor is looking after very scarce state resources," Rahall said.

"He’s trying to do what’s best for the state. We need to work with him. I’m not here to attack the governor. But let’s work together and look at new factors that have come on line in recent years that perhaps have not been factored in your consultants’ study."

No new federal dollars will be available in the federal highway trust fund until it’s replenished three years from now, although annual appropriations can possibly add cash to West Virginia road projects, he said.

And even if Republicans maintain a grip on Congress, he said, a veteran such as he can deliver more dollars than a newcomer who happens to be a member of the ruling party.

"I have been able to actually do a pretty good job, even from a minority position, which I’ve found myself in the last 12 years in the House," he said.

"I’ve done good. If I’m in the majority, in the next Congress and following Congress, I expect to do even better. Obviously, when you control votes and have the gavel, you can do more. And I fully expect to do more."