MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- West Virginia's transportation secretary says better planning is needed to address traffic problems in the state's high growth areas.

Paul Mattox said Thursday that too often the state reacts to problems instead of trying to anticipate needs based on growth. Mattox's comments came following a transportation summit in Martinsburg.

Berkeley County's growth over the past 20 years has created a series of traffic problems. Mattox said traffic congestion in the Eastern Panhandle county is similar to that experienced in Morgantown.

Berkeley County is the state's second largest in population, behind Kanawha.

Mattox said the Legislature will have to enact land-use laws that let officials at the local level plan for growth accordingly.

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- West Virginia's transportation secretary says better planning is needed to address traffic problems in the state's high growth areas.

Paul Mattox said Thursday that too often the state reacts to problems instead of trying to anticipate needs based on growth. Mattox's comments came following a transportation summit in Martinsburg.

Berkeley County's growth over the past 20 years has created a series of traffic problems. Mattox said traffic congestion in the Eastern Panhandle county is similar to that experienced in Morgantown.

Berkeley County is the state's second largest in population, behind Kanawha.

Mattox said the Legislature will have to enact land-use laws that let officials at the local level plan for growth accordingly.