Fact Sheets on Highway Provisions

EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM

Program Purpose

The Emergency Relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of Federal-aid highways and roads on Federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters or catastrophic failure from an external cause

Statutory References

SAFETEA-LU Section(s): 1112, 1937

Other: 23 USC 125

Funding

Funded by a permanent authorization of contract authority from the Highway Trust Fund with obligations not to exceed $100 million per year, available until expended, and exempt from the Federal-aid highway obligation limitation. 23 USC 125

In addition to the permanent authorization, SAFETEA-LU authorizes from the General Fund of the Treasury such sums as may be necessary to supplement the permanent authorization in years when Emergency Relief allocations exceed $100 million. Appropriation legislation would be necessary to make the additional funds available. [1112]

Devils Lake

Emergency Relief funds are to be made available, without requiring any further emergency declaration, for the construction of necessary measures for the continuation of roadway services or the impoundment of water to protect roads at Devils Lake in North Dakota. The maximum amount of Emergency Relief funds to be provided for this purpose is $10 million per year and an aggregate of $70 million. This funding limitation does not apply to emergency relief in response to an eligible event occurring after the date of enactment of SAFETEA-LU or an authority under any other provision of law. [1937]