Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $7.6 Million for Flood, Fire Damage in Washington

Topics:  Rodney E. Slater

Federal Highway Administration
June 18, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 18, 1998
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 27-98

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that the state of Washington will receive $7.6 million in emergency relief funds for repairs on roads damaged by flooding that began May 26 and to a fire-damaged bridge.

"President Clinton recognizes the damage that Washington has suffered," Secretary Slater said. "Transportation is vital to the economies of these states and to people’s daily lives so we are committed to doing all that we can to help fully restore these important roads."

The relief funds, which comes from the department’s Federal Highway Administration, was provided in response to the state’s request for help to repair federal-aid roads.

Of the total, $625,000 will go for work necessary to repair damage to the Carbon River bridge on State Road 165 in Pierce County. The bridge was critically damaged and closed to traffic by a vehicle fire on March 3, 1998. The remaining $7 million will be used for work necessary to repair damage to roads in the counties of Ferry, Stevens and Pend Oreille.

FHWA 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.