DOT 124-07
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 841-9951

U.S. Department of Transportation Provides $1 Million in Immediate Emergency Relief for Flood-Damaged Washington Roads

SEATTLE, WA – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters today announced that the federal government is making $1 million available immediately to help cover the cost of repairing flood-damaged roads like I-5 in southwestern Washington state.

“Roads may be up and running, but it’s clear the damage and recovery efforts will be tough and the costs will be high. Fixing these drowned roads shouldn’t be held up in a flood of red tape,” Secretary Peters said.

The quick-release funds, which do not require a local match like most federal-aid, are a down payment on future funding which will be made available once the state has completed damage assessments and repair costs are more fully known, Secretary Peters said. Specific locations along the damaged roads targeted for the emergency funds have not yet been identified, she added.

The state can use the funding made available today to pay for clean-up and recovery work, including clearing debris and re-routing traffic, as well as for new construction to replace damaged sections of highway.

The announcement was made during a visit to Washington state by Deputy Secretary of Transportation Thomas Barrett and Federal Highway Administrator J. Richard Capka. They viewed Washington’s flooded areas and received a briefing from Washington Department of Transportation officials on the extent of damage and the status of repair efforts. They were joined by Washington state officials including Governor Gregoire, Senator Murray, Senator Cantwell, and Congressman Dicks.

“The money that we’re providing will do more than just help remove debris and repair pavement. It will help reconnect communities and help residents resume their everyday lives,” Barrett said.