DOT 198-04
Contact: Brian Turmail
Tel.: (202) 366-1621
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2004

U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Emergency Funds for Pennsylvania Roadways Damaged by Ivan, Routes 502 and 115 on Road to Repair

LACKAWANNA COUNTY, PA – The federal government is committing more than $1,000,000 to fund the reconstruction of State Route 502 and State Route 115, U.S. Transportation Deputy Secretary Kirk K. Van Tine announced today during a visit to the northeastern Pennsylvania roads.

Van Tine announced that $250,000 would be made available for State Route 502 repairs and another $800,000 for the reconstruction of State Route 115. The federal funds will provide Pennsylvania the necessary emergency relief to help rehabilitate roads damaged by Hurricane Ivan’s aftermath.

“These roads are vital to the transportation network of this state, to the people of this community, and to its economy,” Van Tine said along State Route 502 at the site of a lane that collapsed from Ivan’s heavy rains.

During his visit, Van Tine also traveled to Monroe County where he toured a washed out segment of State Route 115 that is expected to remain closed to the traveling public for the next few weeks.

“We are delivering on President Bush’s commitment to assist the state in every way possible to get these roads fully opened and operating,” he said.

Van Tine noted that Pennsylvania could continue to count on the “full support” of the federal government to make sure that the damage caused by Ivan is repaired quickly.

Briefing Room