FHWA 15-07
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660


U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Announced Today More Than $128 Million In Emergency Funds To Repair Damaged Roads in Seven States and Various Federal Facilities

More than $128 million in additional emergency relief funds is now available to pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural and other emergencies, announced U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters today.

“Natural disasters hit communities in the home, heart and pocketbook,” Secretary Peters said. “By rebuilding crucial roads and highways, these funds will help people to get back on the road and back to the relief of normal, day to day life.”

The funds will go to 7 states and other federal facilities, like parkways, to pay for damages caused by storms, floodings and earthquakes. In the case of California, the funds will go toward the repair of an interchange on I-580 in Oakland that collapsed because of a truck fire and of Mississippi toward the repair of roads damaged by Hurricane Katrina.

The Federal Highway Administration, a part of the U.S. DOT, will reimburse the states for expenses associated with these emergency situations. The funds will be used to reimburse states for fixing or replacing damaged highways and bridges, establishing detours, removing debris and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails.

"Transportation links are key to getting economies and people’s lives back on track,” said FHWA Administrator J. Richard Capka.

The emergency relief funds are part of an emergency appropriations package in the amount of $871 million, signed into law by President Bush in September 2005, to supplement FHWA's emergency relief program. The current release of funds, in addition to $675 million provided earlier this year, brings the total provided to more than $803 million with the balance still available to states upon request.

The program is used to reimburse states for certain costs resulting from natural disasters or other emergencies. A table detailing the funds follows.