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Federal-aid Programs and Special Funding

 

Emergency Relief Resilience Case Studies

FHWA and State Departments of Transportation worked together to develop case studies that discuss how resilience betterments were incorporated into repair and reconstruction projects on federal aid roads after the roads were damaged by natural disasters. These resilience betterments, which were funded by the FHWA Emergency Relief (ER) program, are anticipated to reduce future damages from similar events, thus decreasing costs to the ER program over time. The table below summarizes the case studies and provides links to each one.

State Case Study Title Facility Addressed Hazards Addressed Summary
AL U.S. Highway 231 Landslide Repair

Damage to the southbound lane of US 231 following the February 2020 rainfall event. Roadway with large cracks and movement of the pavement.
Source: ALDOT

 Roadway Landslide Determined constructing two bridges instead of repairing the road was the most feasible and cost-effective approach to avoid damages to the road from future landslides.
AZ Resilience to Changing Hydrology in the Beaver Dam Wash Bridge

Damage to the Beaver Dam Wash Bridge following heavy floods in January 2005. A bridge that is missing an entire section due to flood damage.
Source: Mohave County

 Bridge Flood, Erosion Determined the most effective and cost-effective combination of resilience alternatives evaluated for a bridge washout was a longer bridge with gabion training dikes.
AZ Adapting to Changes in Runoff Conditions and Implementing Long-Term Flood Mitigation Measures

In 2018, the new concrete lined channels along US 89 directed floodwaters to the detention basin and protected the roadway and surrounding homes from major damage. A drainage ditch located next to a wet road and guardrail is filled with water.
Source: FHWA

 Detention basins, Bridge Flood-After-Fire Based on H&H models and experiences from nearby Colorado DOT, completed natural channel design projects to stabilize alluvial fans and protect detention basins. Completed Section 106 consultation with Tribes.
CO Reducing Risk through Rockfall Mitigation

The Grizzly Creek fire left burn scars along I-70 in Glenwood Canyon. View from the windshield of a vehicle of the Rocky Mountains. The mountainside is charred and most of the vegetation is missing.
Source: FHWA

 Rock Slopes Post-Fire Rockfall Modeled debris flows to determine risk for small, medium, and large rockfalls and determined rockfall fences to mitigate the 1- and 5-year events would be cost-effective.
FL Articulating Concrete Block Revetment System for Flood Resilience: Hurricane Michael

Damage to US 98 following Hurricane Michael. A roadway by the waterfront that has significantly ruptured following a hurricane.
Source: FDOT

 Embankments Hurricane, Flood, Wave Runup, Erosion Used an articulating concrete block (ACB) system to protect a coastal highway against erosion. Completed NEPA review for listed species. Used HURISK to develop hurricane recurrence intervals.
HI Incorporating Resilience through Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation

Side view of the historic Waip� Bridge illustrating the damage caused by the historic rainfall event in April 2018. Bridge surrounded by mud flow and debris, as work crews attempt to repair damage.
Source: HDOT

 Bridges Flood, Landslide Restored/replaced 3 historic bridges. Strengthened the bridge by wrapping rehabilitated parts with fiberglass reinforced plastic. Incorporated non-mountable curbs to act as a bridge girder, allow for pedestrian access, and improve safety and traffic flow. Completed Section 106 consultation.
IA Erosion Control for Flood-Prone Roadways

Damaged section of US 34 exhibiting cracked pavement, washed out embankment, and displacement of the roadway.
Source: FHWA

 Embankments Flood, Erosion To stabilize the roadway, used a tied concrete block matting system that anchors to the ground, has a 50-year life, and can be vegetated. Used HEC-17 to evaluate hydraulics and project future flooding events. Accounted for residual damages in cost effectiveness analysis.

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Updated: 09/21/2023
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