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U.S. Department of Transportation, Office of Public Affairs, Washington, D.C., www.dot.gov/affairs/briefing.htm - News

FHWA 05-10Contact: Nancy Singer
Wednesday, March 31, 2010Phone: 202-366-0660

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Announces More Than $338 Million to Repair Damaged Roads and Bridges
18 States to Receive Emergency Relief Funds

WASHINGTON, DC - The federal government is providing more than $338 million to states across the nation to cover costs incurred to repair roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural emergencies and catastrophic events, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced today.

"People cannot return to their daily lives and businesses cannot get back up and running again until transportation is restored after a natural disaster or catastrophic event," said Secretary LaHood. "This money helps the states get roads and bridges back in service so people can get back to their regular activities."

A total of $338,865,050, under the Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program, will help 18 states and American Samoa pay for damages caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes and other disasters and events. "These communities have experienced significant losses," Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. "Restoring roads and bridges is one of the most critical ways the federal government can help these areas fully recover from a natural disaster or catastrophic event."

States receiving funding include:

  • North Dakota - $103 million for flooding in the Devil's Lake region;
  • Louisiana - $ 81.5 million for damage due to Hurricanes Katrina and Gustav; and
  • Texas - $29.9 for hurricane damage (Dolly and Ike).

The funds will reimburse states to fix or replace highways, bridges and other roadway structures such as traffic signs, guardrails and lighting. Also eligible are costs associated with detours, debris removal and other immediate measures necessary to restore traffic flow in impacted areas.

The 2009 Continuing Appropriations Act and the 2006 Department of Defense Appropriations Act both provide additional funding for the FHWA program which Congress annually authorizes at $100 million. The program reimburses states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways that were damaged in disasters and catastrophic failures.

Emergency Relief Allocations

State Event Proposed
Allocation
Subtotal
by State
Alabama May 2009 heavy rainfall $729,000 $2,829,000
December 2009 heavy rainfall and flooding 2,100,000
American Samoa September 2009 Tsunami 10,000,000 10,000,000
Arizona January 2005 flooding 13,750,000 16,828,147
July-August 2007 storms and flooding 3,078,147
Arkansas April 2009 storms and flooding 861,786 861,786
Georgia Spring 2009 flooding 2,659,308 18,023,345
September 2009 rainfall and flooding 15,364,037
Illinois May 2009 severe windstorm 2,412,304 2,412,304
Indiana September 2008 severe storms and flooding 781,333 781,333
Louisiana August 2005 Hurricane Katrina 74,500,000 81,500,000
September 2008 Hurricane Gustav 7,000,000
Maine July 2008 heavy rains and flooding 1,023,200 1,023,200
Michigan July 2009 I-75 tanker truck crash 12,590,960 12,590,960
Minnesota March-May 2009 flooding 7,800,000 7,800,000
New Hampshire April 2007 flooding 820,160 820,160
North Carolina November 2009 Tropical Storm Ida 1,600,000 1,600,000
North Dakota Spring 2009 Devils Lake basin flooding 94,523,000 103,064,000
Provided in SAFETEA-LU Section 1937 8,541,000
Oregon December 2008 severe winter storms 5,000,000 5,000,000
South Dakota March 2009 rainfall and flooding 1,847,452 1,847,452
Tennessee November 2009 US 64 rock slide 3,853,363 3,853,363
Texas July 2008 Hurricane Dolly 8,100,000 29,900,000
September 2008 Hurricane Ike 21,800,000
Washington December 2005 storm 1,557,000 38,130,000
November 2006 storm 10,060,000
December 2007 storm 6,725,000
November 2008 storm 15,410,000
October 2009 SR 410 landslide 4,378,000
Total $338,865,050 $338,865,050

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