Contact: FHWA.PressOffice@dot.gov

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $5 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds for the Hawaii Department of Transportation to help with repair costs of roads and bridges damaged by Kona Low storms in March this year. The funding will go toward repairing projects that include the H-3 Kionaole Road culvert and the Hana Highway MP 10.

“The Trump Administration is committed to helping Hawaiian families recover from the storms that devastated critical transportation networks earlier this year. This is about ensuring our communities can reach necessary resources and rebuild after this natural disaster,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy.

“The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with the Hawaii Department of Transportation to ensure that repairs caused by the Kona Low storms are completed as soon as possible,” said FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster. “The Emergency Relief funding we are providing today will help restore travel for residents who rely on these highways for their livelihoods and businesses that need them to move their goods. FHWA will provide the federal support needed until Hawaii fully recovers from this event.”

Beginning March 10, a series of Kona Low storms resulted in severe flooding throughout Hawaii. Roadways, bridges, and other highway infrastructure were flooded because of water and debris throughout the islands. Many roads were not safe for travel and needed reconstruction and permanent reinforcement to restore stability.

The Emergency Relief funding announced today will allow the Hawaii DOT to continue with critical repairs. FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding to states, territories, Tribes, and Federal Land Management Agencies for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. These “quick release” Emergency Relief funds are an initial installment of funds toward restoring essential transportation links. Additional funds needed to repair damage in Hawaii will be supported by the Emergency Relief program through nationwide funding allocations.

More information about FHWA’s Emergency Relief program can be found online at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/erelief.cfm

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