DOT PROVIDES $4 MILLION TO ALABAMA, FLORIDA FOR FLOOD-DAMAGED ROADS |
|---|
|
Federal Highway Administration
October 13, 1998
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 13, 1998
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 46-98
U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that Alabama and Florida each will receive an initial allocation of $2 million in emergency relief funds for repairs on federal aid highways that were damaged by the hurricane.
"Vice President Gore and I are deeply concerned about the devastation that the people of Alabama, Florida and other states are facing because of Hurricane Georges," President Clinton said. "This initial amount for repair to roads and bridges will jump start the recovery process, and is an indication of the commitment to help these states and Puerto Rico rebound from this disaster in the days and weeks ahead."
"Transportation is vital to the economies of Alabama and Florida and to people’s daily lives, so we are doing all we can to help fully restore these important roads," said Secretary Slater.
The $4 million in emergency relief funding comes from the U.S. Transportation Department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and can be used to repair damage to federal-aid roads and bridges in those states.
FHWA money is awarded after the President or Governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state files 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.
On Sept. 29, First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton, while touring the devastation from Hurricane Georges in Puerto Rico, announced that the commonwealth would receive $5 million in emergency relief funds to begin repairs on roads and bridges.