VICE PRESIDENT GORE ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION MORE FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED ROADS IN CALIFORNIA

Federal Highway Administration
July 14, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, July 14, 1998
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 29-98

Vice President Al Gore today announced that California will receive an additional $60 million in emergency relief funds for repairs on roads damaged by flooding that began in February 1998.

"While Californians suffered the tragic consequences of floods earlier this year, I am pleased that these emergency relief funds will help restore roads in communities across the state," 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 $60 million is in addition to $40 million in emergency relief funds that the state received earlier this year to repair roads damaged by heavy rains and flooding, bringing the total this year to $100 million.

"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 the daily lives of the people."

The money, 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. 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.