Subject to the provisions of §17-4-17d of this code, and notwithstanding any other provisions to the contrary, whenever the Commissioner of Highways determines that any utility facility located upon, across, above, or under any portion of a state highway needs to be relocated in order to accommodate a highway project funded, in whole or in part, with proceeds of bonds or notes issued by the division, commissioner, West Virginia Parkways Authority, or the State of West Virginia on or after January 1, 2018, and on or before July 1, 2021, the commissioner shall notify the utility owning or operating the facility, which shall relocate the facility in accordance with this article and in accordance with the cost-sharing provisions of this section. The utility shall bear 85 percent of any such relocation costs, and the Division of Highways shall bear 15 percent of any such relocation costs. The division’s share shall be paid out of the State Road Fund or paid with other eligible funds, within two years of completion of the highway project, and shall be considered a cost of the highway project: Provided, That nothing in this section shall alter or amend the responsibility of the division n two years of completion of the highway project, and shall be considered a cost of the highway project: Provided, That nothing in this section shall alter or amend the responsibility of the division to pay for the cost of utility facilities relocation when such costs are incurred to accommodate a highway project and such utilities maintain pre-existing property rights in their facilities’ present location.
West Virginia Legal Code