FHWA 42-10
Contact: Nancy Singer
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Phone: 202-366-0660

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $1.5 Million in Quick Release Emergency Relief Funds for Flood Damage in South Dakota

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $1.5 million in quick release emergency funds immediately available to the South Dakota Department of Transportation to begin repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods.

"Communities in South Dakota have been greatly affected by these floods," said Secretary LaHood. "Emergency relief will help the state make repairs to roads and bridges so that people can return to their daily lives."

Heavy rainfall and flooding in the eastern part of the state led to damage on federal-aid roads in 22 counties. The flooding weakened the state's transportation system and hampered mobility throughout that portion of the state.

"These emergency funds are going towards key transportation links that were damaged with the flooding," Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. "The important thing is to get traffic moving again as quickly as possible."

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse counties for the cost of repairs needed to resume essential traffic flow right after the flooding and prevent further damage. FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The estimated cost of repairs to damaged roads and bridges in South Dakota is more than $12 million.

# # #