FHWA 14-15
Monday, March 9, 2015
Contact: Nancy Singer
(202) 366-0660

U.S. Transportation Secretary Foxx Announces $500,000 in Emergency Relief Funds for Mississippi Roads Damaged by Rainfall

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $500,000 in Emergency Relief funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) cover the costs of repairing federal-aid roads damaged by rainfall.

"At U.S. DOT, we're committed to keeping our roads safe and these funds are critical to restoring the roads that were damaged due to significant rainfall in the Jackson area," said Secretary Foxx. "These funds will not only repair the damaged roads, but they'll help people who rely on these roads on a daily basis to get to their jobs and pick up their children at school."

Mississippi experienced severe winter weather beginning in mid-February. Significant amounts of rainfall caused extensive erosion to roadway embankments along Interstate 220 in the Jackson area, commonly referred to as sliding. The ground essentially gives way, or separates from the highway, as a result of extreme wetness.

The repair work consists of stabilizing and repairing the impacted areas, currently estimated at the total cost of $1 million. This work is necessary to prevent further damage to Interstate 220 and to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

"These emergency funds will help state officials make immediate repairs necessary to restore critical transportation links," said Deputy Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "We are working closely with MDOT to ensure there is no further damage."

Funds from FHWA's Emergency Relief Program will reimburse the state for emergency work done in the immediate aftermath of the weather event. FHWA's Emergency Relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. MDOT continues to assess the cost of additional damage from the rainfall.

# # #