U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $5 Million in Quick Release Emergency Relief Funds for Flood Damage in New York

Topics:  Ray LaHood

Federal Highway Administration
28 September 2011

FHWA 54-11
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Contact: Doug Hecox
Tel: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $5 million in quick release emergency funds immediately available to the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) to help repair roads and bridges damaged by floods from Hurricane Irene.

"Hurricane Irene left New York residents with an enormous cleanup job and limited mobility because of damaged roads and bridges," said Secretary LaHood. "This emergency relief funding will help the state cover the costs to make repairs and restore the routes critical to communities hurt by the storm."

New York suffered flooding and substantial damage to roads and bridges from Hurricane Irene's rainfall beginning on August 26. NYSDOT will use quick release funds to continue emergency repairs to roads, highways and bridges in 31 counties throughout the state.

"Because of communities' need to make repairs to roads and bridges, these emergency relief funds will speed recovery and prevent additional damage to critical infrastructure," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. FHWA anticipates additional funding requests from states that have been battered by extreme weather, Mendez added.

NYSDOT estimates that overall damage to federal-aid highways from these floods will likely exceed $100 million.

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse the state for repairs that were done to resume essential traffic flow immediately after the flooding and prevent further damage.

FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.