CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- The state Parkways Authority says it could catch-up on lagging maintenance projects if it could raise 30 million additional dollars a year in revenue for nine years.

Parkways Chairman Joe Martin says much of that revenue would come in the form of a toll increase. "There is no question that at some point in the future a toll increase will be necessary," Martin said.

The Parkways Authority discussed its current situation at a Thursday meeting in Charleston. A report shows $238 million in maintenance needs, but only $60 million a year currently available. The report says one possible strategy, adding $30 million a year in revenue, would fully fund a capital improvement plan and erase a paving backlog in a matter of nine years.

Tolls were increased on the Turnpike nearly three years ago, but overturned by a circuit judge. The legislature then passed a bill that would require public hearings in the four Turnpike counties the next time a toll increase is discussed. Tolls remain at the levels set in 1981 for the 88-mile highway.

Chairman Martin says the specific details of an increase have yet to be decided. "There could be a large increase or a series of smallest increases set to follow inflation or follow some index of increasing maintenance costs," he said.

The Turnpike has seen a decline in traffic during the last year of approximately six percent. General Manager Greg Barr says the highway "would be lucky" to do $43 million in tolls this budget year. The authority projected $47 million in toll revenue for this fiscal year.

Martin says the Parkways Authority is in a difficult position with maintenance costs rising and toll revenues decreasing because of the recession.

Toll increases, Chairman Martin says, by nature cause will cause some motorists to choose different routes, but he says the Parkways Authority hopes to keep that number low. "The key is to size the toll increases in such a way as to cause a minimum amount of dislocation of traffic," he said.