DOT 45-06
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Alabama Receives $17.6 Million For Hurricane Katrina Road Damages
Alabama is receiving $17.6 million to pay the state’s cost for repairing the
Cochrane Bridge, interstate ramps, traffic signals and other highway damage
caused by Hurricane Katrina, U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said
today.
An offshore oil platform dislodged by Katrina’s high winds slammed into the
Cochrane Bridge over Mobile Bay, damaging its cable system and concrete
structure. The federal funds will reimburse the state for repairing the Bridge
and for new ramps connecting U.S. 90 and Interstate 10, replacing or repairing
damaged traffic signals and highway message signs, and the cost of clearing
downed trees, sand and other debris from roads immediately after the storm.
“Communities throughout Alabama were able to move quickly, making repairs to
roads because they knew they could count on us for support, for guidance and for
reimbursement,” said Mineta.
Today’s funding is part of an emergency highway aid package for Gulf Coast
states requested by President Bush and approved by Congress the end of last
year, according to Mineta.
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Briefing Room
