DOT 86-08
Contact: Nancy Singer, Tel.: (202) 366-0660
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters Announces $1 Million Quick
Release to Iowa for Urgent Repair of Roads and Bridges Damaged by Floods
The federal government is making $1 million available immediately in emergency
relief funds for Iowa to help pay for urgent repairs to roads and bridges
damaged by floods, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters announced today.
“We're making this down payment so repairs can start immediately and communities
can receive the assistance they need without further delay,” Secretary Peters
said. “The people of Iowa need to know that everything will be done to restore
the state's damaged highways and bridges quickly.”
“As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever I can to return life to normal
for Iowans, and this funding will help us do just that,” said Iowa Governor Chet
Culver. “I want to thank the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for making this
commitment to Iowa’s transportation recovery efforts. Together, with the help
and cooperation of everyone on the local, state and federal levels, I am
confident that we will rebuild our state – even better and stronger than
before.”
Secretary Peters said the $1 million quick release was intended to help Iowa
address repairs that need immediate attention to restore essential traffic in
eastern portions of the state until a full assessment of the damage is
completed.
The Secretary added that the Department would continue to work with officials
from Iowa and other Midwestern states 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.
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.
“Transportation is critical to the rebuilding process after natural disaster
strikes,” said FHWA Acting Administrator Jim Ray.
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