DOT Announces Funding for Repair from Natural Disasters
Posted on Fri, Jan 13, 2012 @ 01:02 PM
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced $1.6 billion in funding for the repair of roads and bridges from the Federal Highway Administration (FWHA). Ray LaHood, U.S. Transportation Secretary, made the announcement Monday. The funding will go toward the repair of U.S. roads and bridges that have been damaged by natural disasters. LaHood offered an inspriational explanation, “Communities from coast to coast are still recovering from disasters that have affected the roads they use, their homes and businesses.” He continued, “The Obama Administration stands ready to provide emergency relief and reimburse these communities for the work that has been done to restore their critical transportation needs.”
Costs for debris removal, detours, and any other immediate measures necessary to restore traffic flow are deemed eligible for reimbursement from the fund. States such as Vermont, which faced severe tragedy by Hurricane Irene, will receive $125.6 million; North Dakota will receive $89.1 million for the Devils Lake Basin for damage caused by Spring 2011 runoff; and Iowa will receive $37.5 million to repair damage caused by the May 2011 Missouri River flooding.
The states previously mentioned were among the top recipients of aid from the FHWA. A complete list of states and funding amounts is listed here.