FHWA 19-08
Contact: Nancy Singer, Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Friday, September 5, 2008
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Announces the Quick Release of
$4 Million to Louisiana and Mississippi for Repair of Roads and Bridges Damaged
by Hurricane Gustav
WASHINGTON – The federal government is making $4 million available immediately
in emergency relief funds for Louisiana and Mississippi to help pay for urgent
repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods, U.S. Transportation Secretary
Mary E. Peters announced today.
"We want states to get roads cleared, bridges reopened and traffic moving as
quickly as possible,” said Secretary Peters.
Secretary Peters said the $4 million quick release was intended to help
Louisiana and Mississippi to address repairs that need immediate attention, to
pay for debris removal and initiate repair contracts. The states will receive $3
million and $1 million respectively.
The Secretary added that the Department would continue to work with officials
from Louisiana and Mississippi as they evaluate the extent of road damage caused
by the floods. She said more resources will likely be made available based on
those evaluations.
"Restoring transportation links is key in the aftermath of a natural disaster,"
FHWA Administrator Thomas J. Madison.
The Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program provides funds to
states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by
natural disasters or catastrophic events. The program typically works on a
reimbursable basis. These emergency relief funds are provided from the General
Fund of the Treasury and not the Highway Trust Fund.
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