VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES $20 MILLION FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED ROADS IN CALIFORNIA

Federal Highway Administration
February 18, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, February 18, 1998
Contact: Karen Whitney
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 8-98

Vice President Al Gore today announced that California will receive $20 million in emergency relief funds to repair roads damaged by flooding that began in January 1998.

"President Clinton and I recognize the devastation caused by floods and the need to repair roads in California," Vice President Gore said. "Restoring damaged roadways is one of the most important actions the federal government can take to help communities in California recover from the devastating effects of these floods."

"The people of California rely on highways to connect them to their friends, jobs, schools and recreation," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater said. "Transportation is vital to California’s economy as well as to people’s daily lives."

The $20 million, which comes from the Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration, was provided in response to the state’s request for help to repair federal-aid roads. The funding will permit emergency relief funds to be used for work necessary to repair damage and restore essential services.

FHWA emergency relief funds are awarded after a formal emergency proclamation has been issued and the state has filed a preliminary damage assessment for its highways and bridges on the federal-aid system.

The funds reimburse the state for emergency work that is already completed and provides funding for other necessary repairs to correct major or unusual damage to federal-aid highways. Eligible repair work includes reconstructing damaged bridges and pavement surfaces, establishing detours, removing slides and debris, and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails.