FHWA 40-12
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660

GULF PORT, Miss. - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $1 million in emergency relief funds immediately available to the Mississippi Department of Transportation to help repair roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Isaac.

"The Obama Administration will continue to work with Mississippi on recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Isaac," said Secretary LaHood. "Emergency relief funds will help the state make critical repairs to roads and bridges."

Hurricane Isaac impacted 48 counties in southern Mississippi. Winds, rain and flooding resulted in damage to highways and bridges, requiring an extensive clean-up effort to remove debris. In addition, the storm destroyed traffic signals and signs.

"We're working in partnership with Mississippi to move the state closer to complete recovery," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "The emergency relief funds we're providing today signal our commitment to help restore transportation in the state."

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will go towards debris removal, repairing traffic signs and signals, restoring pavements and stabilizing landslide areas.

FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. Restoring critical infrastructure is essential to providing first responders and relief workers with access to impacted communities and to quickly restoring services to impacted residents.

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