FHWA 50-11
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $2 million in quick release emergency funds immediately available to the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) to begin repairs to roads and bridges damaged by summer floods.

"Massive flooding has left Missouri residents with a huge cleanup job and a limited number of operating highways in the region," Secretary LaHood said. "The emergency relief funding will restore essential routes and prevent further costly damage to highways."

Beginning in June, Missouri suffered widespread flooding of the Missouri River along the northwest region of the state that has resulted in substantial damage to roads and bridges. MoDOT will use quick release funds to expedite emergency repairs to roads, highways and bridges.

"Getting this money to Missouri means the state will be able to immediately perform necessary emergency repair work like providing traffic control for detours, removing debris, and repairing washed out sections of highways," Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said.

MoDOT estimates that overall damage to federal-aid highways during the floods will exceed $11 million.

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse counties for the cost of repairs that were done in order to resume essential traffic flow immediately after the flooding and prevent further damage.

FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

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