DOT 41-05
Tuesday, March 8, 2005
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $740 Million In Emergency
Relief Funds For 34 States
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today
announced more than $740 million in emergency relief funds for 34 states and
U.S. territories that suffered highway and bridge damage from flooding,
earthquakes, other natural disasters or emergency situations.
“These funds represent the federal government’s commitment to help communities
across the nation rebuild after a devastating crisis,” said Secretary Mineta.
The funds announced today will reimburse states for costs associated with 90
emergency situations, such as highways washed out from flooding or mudslides and
bridges damaged by earthquakes or barge accidents.
“As a former governor, President Bush knows how important it is for states to
receive the assistance that’s available from Washington when communities are
damaged,” said Federal Highway Administrator Mary E. Peters.
“States, local communities and the national economy depend on our transportation
network,” said Peters. “This emergency relief funding is crucial to helping
states get highways and bridges back in operation as soon as possible after a
disaster occurs.”
The full funding amount, $740,235,086, is provided through the Federal Highway
Administration’s emergency relief program. The program is available to reimburse
states for certain costs that result from a wide range of natural disasters and
emergency situations.
The Bush Administration requested that Congress provide the funds to eliminate a
backlog of eligible emergency relief incidents around the country.
The Bush Administration also asked Congress for an additional $1.2 billion in
emergency relief funds to pay for highway and bridge damage caused last year
from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Gaston, Ivan and Jeanne. The funding will be
provided to states later this year.