Federal Highway Administration Releases $1 Million in Emergency Relief Funds to Repair Highway and Bridge Damage in Louisiana

Federal Highway Administration
22 March 2016

FHWA 17-16
Tuesday, March 22, 2016
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $1 million in Emergency Relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to help repair damage caused by severe rains.

“Emergency Relief funding will help communities recover from the extensive damage and restore essential travel,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “We understand how important it is to get roads repaired as quickly as possible so residents can travel and businesses can be up and running again.”

Beginning March 7, Louisiana experienced severe weather statewide, affecting 16 parishes.

“Emergency Relief funding will allow the state to make the needed repairs so people can get back to work and go about their daily lives again,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “We know Louisiana residents are eagerly awaiting the reopening of roads.”

The repairs are estimated to cost $5 million and will consist of repairing and stabilizing roadway embankments, correcting bridge scour, and rebuilding or replacing damaged structures.

The FHWA’s Emergency Relief program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.