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DOT 19-06
Tuesday, February 2, 2006
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Louisiana Receives $863 Million For New I-10 Bridge and Repairs to
Hurricane-Damaged Roads
Louisiana is receiving $863 million in additional federal transportation funds
to repair hurricane-damaged roads, including $629 million for a new I-10 bridge
in New Orleans, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced
today.
The new funds also cover repairs to the existing I-10 Twin Span bridge between
New Orleans and Slidell, which was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina but
reopened ahead of schedule to four lanes of traffic in early January. In
addition, some of the money will pay the cost of clearing debris from highways
immediately after the storm.
“These much needed funds move us one step closer to fulfilling our commitment to
getting the economy moving again in New Orleans,” said Mineta. “With the proper
resources we will get residents, visitors and goods moving again throughout this
vibrant region.”
Today’s funding is part of a $2.75 billion highway aid package for Gulf Coast
states requested by President Bush and approved by Congress the end of last
year, according to Mineta. To date Louisiana has received a total of $963
million to repair or rebuild federally-supported highways and bridges in the
aftermath of Katrina. The Department previously provided $100 million in
emergency highway funding to the state.
Louisiana estimates a new I-10 bridge will cost $803 million. Additional costs
above the $629 million included for the bridge’s construction in today’s
announcement are also eligible for federal emergency relief funding at a later
date, Mineta said.
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Briefing Room