DOT Offers Aid for Road and Bridge Repairs
The funds will be used to address flood damage in 26 states, as well as Puerto Rico.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced $232.5 million in emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration will help 26 states and Puerto Rico repair roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, and other unexpected events.
"We are committed to getting transportation facilities restored as quickly as possible following natural disasters and other emergencies," he said. "These funds will certainly repair roads and bridges, but most importantly, they are helping people who rely on them every day to arrive at their jobs and pick up their children at school."
FHWA's emergency relief program reimburses states for eligible expenses associated with damage from natural disasters or other emergency situations based on their requests. The money helps pay for the reconstruction or replacement of damaged highways and bridges, along with the arrangement of detours and replacement of guardrails and other damaged safety devices.
The agency estimates approximately $77 billion in annual investment is needed to meet the needs of the highway system. "We want states to know that they can go ahead and expedite repairs where they are needed most following a disaster and that they will be repaid," said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "It is our top priority to help states and their communities that have been hurt by storms like these, so their residents can get back to traveling freely and safely again."
Colorado was reimbursed more than any other state at $55 million, due to a single flood that caused widespread damage throughout the state.