PRESIDENT CLINTON ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL $20 MILLION IN EMERGENCY RELIEF FOR CALIFORNIA ROADS AND BRIDGES |
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Federal Highway Administration
February 26, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, February 26, 1998
Contact: Karen Whitney
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 10-98
President Clinton today announced that California will receive an additional $20 million in federal emergency relief funds to repair roads damaged by El Niño storms and flooding that began earlier this month.
"We have all seen the damage caused by floods and the need to repair roads in California," President Clinton 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 this month’s storms."
"Rain and floods have had devastating effects on California’s transportation systems," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater. "We are particularly concerned about damage to roads and bridges because transportation is vital to people’s daily lives and the economy."
The $20 million announced today comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in response to the state’s request for help to repair federal-aid roads. This funding is in addition to $20 million in FHWA emergency relief funds that Vice President Gore announced for California on Feb. 18, 1998, bringing the total amount of emergency relief from the FHWA for California El Niño flood damage this year to $40 million.
FHWA emergency relief money is 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.
The Department of Transportation understands that California has additional needs and the Administration will work with California and other states to see that their emergency relief needs are met promptly.
The $20 million announced today comes from the department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and was provided in response to the state’s request for help to repair federal-aid roads.
This funding is in addition to the $20 million in FHWA emergency relief funds that Vice President Gore announced for California on Feb. 18, 1998, and it brings the total amount of emergency relief from the FHWA for California this year to $40 million.
FHWA emergency relief money is 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.
The Department of Transportation understands that California has additional needs and the Administration will work with California and other states to see that their emergency relief needs are met promptly.