Federal Highway Administration Announces $1 Million in Emergency Relief for Flood-Damaged Roads and Bridges in Arkansas

Federal Highway Administration
25 February 2016

FHWA 08-16
Thursday, February 25, 2016
Contact: Doug Hecox
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 Arkansas Department of Highway and Transportation Department (AHDT) to help repair roads and bridges damaged by heavy rains and flooding last month.

“Emergency relief funding will help Arkansas begin to recover from the widespread damage caused by last month’s storms,” said Secretary Foxx. “We understand how important it is to get these roads repaired and reopened so life there can return to normal as soon as possible.”

Storms producing heavy rain in late December and most of January caused severe flooding throughout the western half of the state.

“Arkansans should know that the funds provided today are just a down payment on what we know will be many other repairs to the highways that they rely heavily upon,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “As the extent of damage becomes clearer, we won’t hesitate to make additional resources available.”

The state will receive $1 million in initial, or “quick release,” funds to begin important repair work, make further damage assessments, and to restore road access to normal. Preliminary damages are estimated at more than $4.5 million, though that figure could grow as new information becomes available

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