DOT Announces $104.8 Million in Emergency Relief To Repair Infrastructure Damaged by Disasters
Thursday, March 14, 2002
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 4-02
The U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that $104.8 million in emergency relief funds will be provided to 17 states, American Samoa, Guam and Puerto Rico to repair federal-aid roads that have been damaged as a result of flooding, storms and other natural disasters.
"Helping states after an emergency is an important responsibility of the federal government," U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said. "By restoring damaged roadways, we can help local communities to fully recover from natural disasters, and that’s why we’re doing what we can to help these states and territories complete the restoration process."
The $104.8 million in emergency relief funds, which are administered by the department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), were provided in response to requests from states and other jurisdictions for help to repair federal-aid roads and bridges. FHWA division administrators in each state work closely with state and local officials to assess damage and review funding requests. FHWA money is awarded after the President or the Governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state files a preliminary damage assessment for federal aid highways and bridges.
The funds reimburse the state for the damage-repair work that is already completed and provide funding for the remaining damage-repair work to correct major or unusual damage to federal-aid highways. Eligible repair work includes reconstructing damaged bridges and pavement surfaces, establishing detours, removing slides and debris, and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails. In Houston on March 4, U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Michael P. Jackson announced the funding amounts for Texas out of this $104.8 million.
The $104.8 million will be allocated as follows:
| State | Event | Amount | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Jan. 5, 2002, I-65 Bridge Failure | $1,804,000 | |
| American Samoa | October 2001 Rock Fall on Route 1 | $1,928,000 | |
| Arizona | October 2000 Flood | $1,608,000 | |
| Arkansas | December 2000 Ice Storm | $21,050,000 | |
| Guam | Oct. 13, 2001 Earthquake | $1,015,000 | |
| Minnesota | April 2001 Flood | $1,024,000 | |
| Missouri | Sept. 30, 2001 Route MM Bridge over I-44 Failure | $3,735,000 | |
| New Jersey | June 22, 2001, I-80 Truck Fire | $3,954,000 | |
| New York | December 2000 Flood | $466,000 | |
| North Dakota | Spring 2001 Basin Flood | $35,000 | |
| North Dakota | Spring 2001 Devils Lake | $16,551,000 | |
| North Dakota | April 1999 Devils Lake | $467,000 | |
| North Dakota | June 2000 Flood | $1,765,000 | |
| North Dakota Total | $18,818,000 | ||
| Ohio | May 2001, I-77 Failure | $3,849,000 | |
| Oklahoma | December/January 2001 Ice Storm | $2,134,000 | |
| Oregon | October 2000 Heavy Rains | $601,000 | |
| Pennsylvania | June 2001 Flood | $1,718,000 | |
| Puerto Rico | November 2001 Flood | $1,985,000 | |
| South Dakota | Spring 2001 Flood | $1,083,000 | |
| Texas | December/January 2001 Ice Storm | $3,554,000 | |
| Texas | June 2001 Storm Allison | $3,272,000 | |
| Texas | Sept. 15, 2001 Queen Isabella Bridge Failure | $4,511,000 | |
| Texas Total | $11,337,000 | ||
| Virginia | July 2001 Flood | $1,033,000 | |
| Washington | Feb. 28, 2001 Nisqually Earthquake | $15,336,000 | |
| West Virginia | May 16, 2001 Flood | $887,000 | |
| West Virginia | July 7, 2001 Flood | $8,000,000 | |
| West Virginia | July 26, 2001 Flood | $1,458,000 | |
| West Virginia Total | $10,345,000 | ||
| Total | $104,823,000 |