FHWA 62-11
Monday, November 7, 2011
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $2 Million in Quick Release Emergency Relief Funds for Flood Damage in New York

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $2 million in quick release emergency funds immediately available to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to continue repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods from Tropical Storm Lee.

"The Obama Administration stands ready to provide emergency relief to New York as it recovers from the damages caused by Tropical Storm Lee," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. "We are making funds available right away to restore roads and bridges."

Continued rainfall and heavy winds from Tropical Storm Lee resulted in severe flooding and damage to roads and bridges in many parts of upstate and northeastern New York. The storm hit many of the same areas that had been severely damaged two weeks earlier by Hurricane Irene. NYSDOT will use the quick release funds to pay for work done to reopen critical roads to traffic, including repairing washed out roadways and bridges, and removing debris from roadways.

"This emergency funding represents an initial payment and a first step in our continued federal support for communities in New York affected by Tropical Storm Lee," Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said. "New York did a great job in repairing critical links, and we are committed to help them financially."

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are used to reimburse communities for the cost of repairs to resume essential traffic flow immediately 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.

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