U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
202-366-4000
Briefing Room
Subscribe to FHWA Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday, November 15, 2002 Contact: Bill Outlaw Tel: 202-366-0660 FHWA 45-02 U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $98.9 Million in Emergency Relief To Repair Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta today announced that $98.9 million in emergency relief funds will be provided to 23 states, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and Guam to repair federal-aid roads that have been damaged as a result of flooding, storms and other natural disasters. Also included are relief funds for several disasters that damaged roads on federal lands around the country. "Helping states after an emergency is an important responsibility of the federal government," Secretary Mineta said. "By restoring damaged roadways, we can help local communities to fully recover from natural disasters, and that's why we're doing what we can to help these states and territories complete the restoration process." The $98.9 million in emergency relief funds, which are administered by the department=s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), was provided in response to requests from states and other jurisdictions for help to repair federal-aid roads and bridges. FHWA division administrators in each state work closely with state and local officials to assess damage and review funding requests. FHWA money is awarded after the President or the Governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state files a preliminary damage assessment for its highways and bridges on the federal-aid system. The funds reimburse the state for the damage repair work that is already completed and provides funding for the remaining damage repair work to correct major or unusual damage to federal-aid highways. Eligible repair work includes reconstructing damaged bridges and pavement surfaces, establishing detours, removing slides and debris, and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails. The $98.9 million in fiscal year 2003 emergency relief allocations will be distributed as follows: Fiscal Year 2003 Federal Highway Administration Emergency Funding State: Alaska State: Alabama State: American Samoa State: Arizona State: Arkansas State: Colorado State: Guam State: Idaho State: Michigan State: Minnesota State: Missouri State: Montana State: Nebraska State: New Jersey State: New York State: North Dakota State: Ohio State: Oklahoma State: Oregon State: Pennsylvania State: Puerto Rico State: South Dakota State: Texas State: Virginia State: Washington State: West Virginia State: FLH Manag. Agencies
Various events Total: 98,920,000 * An initial allocation of $2 million is provided for the evolving event as the extent and severity of the damage is still being assessed. |