Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $506,000 in Emergency Relief Funds To Repair Flood-Damaged Roads in Wisconsin

Topics:  Rodney E. Slater

Federal Highway Administration
December 3, 1998

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 3, 1998
Contact: Jim Pinkelman
Telephone: 202-366-0660
FHWA 58-98

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that Wisconsin will receive $506,000 in emergency relief funds to repair damage to federal-aid roads damaged as a result of severe storms and flooding that began Oct. 5, 1998.

"President Clinton and I recognize the damage that Wisconsin suffered," Secretary Slater said. "We are particularly concerned about the damage to roads because safe, efficient transportation is vital to the daily lives of Wisconsin residents and visitors and also to the state’s economy."

The $503,000, which comes from the department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), 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 to roads in Milwaukee, Rock and Sheboygan counties.

FHWA funds are awarded after the President or the governor issues a formal emergency proclamation and the state has filed a preliminary damage assessment for its highways and bridges on the federal-aid system. FHWA will 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.