Transportation Secretary Slater Announces $1.65 Million in Emergency Relief Funds For Hurricane-Damaged Roads in Virgin Islands

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 59-98

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney E. Slater today announced that the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive $1.65 million in emergency relief funds for repairs on roads damaged by Hurricane Georges on Sept. 21, 1998.

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

The $1.65 million, 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

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.