BECKLEY, W.V. (LOOTPRESS) – The toll booths along the West Virginia Turnpike are getting a new look. Thursday afternoon Governor Jim Justice joined Parkways Authority leaders at Tamarack to announce the West Virginia Turnpike’s new marketing initiative, which will wrap all the toll booths in designs that showcase West Virginia’s greatest tourist attractions.
West Virginia Parkways Authority Director Jeff Miller says that the turnpike presents an incredible asset to the state: travelers.
According to Miller, the turnpike collects $36 million a year in toll fees, $15 million of which come from the Beckley area exits.
“We came up with something that aligns with the vision that Governor Justice has for the state and pertains to its tourism, natural beauty and outdoor activities,” Miller said. “It is an effective and low-cost project.”
Governor Justice highlighted all the moves being made in the state in regard to tourism, such as the remote worker program and the growing census, stating that this initiative will only add to the greatness that is coming to the state and will only make current residents more proud to call West Virginia their home.
“Right now, we are poised to move and go forward in this state like you can’t imagine,” he said. “The stars are lining up…We have captured the world. We have captured the look of the world. They’re looking at us.”
During the press conference, Miller and Governor Justice unveiled three toll booth designs, which were created in partnership with the West Virginia Tourism Office and produced by the West Virginia Parkways Authority.
One design highlighted Tamarack specifically, while the other two focused on the Mountain State’s outdoor recreational activities.
According to Governor Justice, there are six additional designs that will be displayed along the turnpike.
Crews will begin wrapping the booths tonight, and Miller hopes for the project to be complete before the state sees Memorial Day traffic.
“We are just dressing up what has always been a stainless-steel toll booth box,” Miller said, adding that he believes the new marketing initiative could generate millions of impressions.
“We think it will showcase the natural beauty and outdoor activities West Virginia has to offer.”