U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces $2 Million in Emergency Funding to Help with West Virginia Flooding

Topics:  Ray LaHood

Federal Highway Administration
18 May 2009

FHWA 14-09
Contact: Doug Hecox
Monday, May 18, 2009
Tel.: (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced that West Virginia will immediately receive $2 million in emergency relief funds to help repair roads and bridges damaged by recent floods.

"This much-needed funding will help West Virginia's clean up efforts and get the Mountain State back on track," said Secretary LaHood. "Ensuring that roads and bridges are safe and accessible again must be a top priority."

Specifically, this quick release funding will help West Virginia pay for debris removal and initiate repair contracts. The U.S. Department of Transportation will continue to work with Governor Joe Manchin III and other West Virginia officials as they assess the damage to roads and bridges caused by the floods. Additional resources may become available based on those evaluations.

The Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The program typically works on a reimbursement basis.

These emergency relief funds are provided from the General Fund of the U.S. Treasury and not the Highway Trust Fund.