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DOT Grants $1.6B to Fix Roads, Bridges

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

More items for Program/Project Management

The federal government will release nearly $1.6 billion in aid to help states and territories repair roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural disasters dating back to 2004.

The aid comes on top of a similar $215 million infrastructure relief package announced in November. That package reimbursed 37 states and territories for emergency repairs.

North Dakota Tourism

Devils Lake Basin in North Dakota will receive more than $89 million to make repairs after the Spring runoff of 2011.

“Communities from coast to coast are still recovering from disasters that have affected the roads they use, their homes and businesses,” Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Monday (Jan. 9) in announcing the new, much larger aid package.

“The Obama Administration stands ready to provide emergency relief and reimburse these communities for the work that has been done to restore their critical transportation needs.”

30 States to Benefit

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) said it would provide a total of $1.58 billion to 30 states, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and federal land management agencies to reimburse them for repairs to roads and bridges caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes and other natural and catastrophic disasters.

Most of the damage stems from disasters of 2011, but some dates as far back as 2004.

This money will reimburse states for fixing or replacing highways, bridges and other roadway structures. Costs associated with detours, debris removal and other immediate measures necessary to restore traffic flow in impacted areas are also eligible for reimbursement.

‘Critical Times’

“States and communities can rely on the federal government during these critical times,” said FHWA Administrator Victor Mendez.  “When disaster strikes, the department will do all it can to provide help to the affected areas.”

Major recipients include:

• Vermont, hard hit by Hurricane Irene, which will get $125.6 million;

• North Dakota, which will receive more than $250 million for catastrophic runoff and flooding in 2011; and

• Iowa, due to receive $37.5 million to repair damage caused by the May 2011 Missouri River flooding.

A complete list of states and funding amounts follows.

Comment from Tom Schwerdt, (1/11/2012, 8:15 AM)

Hm, Texas had hurricanes, fire, flooding and more - yet sees nothing. California is getting another $180,000,000 for landslides dating back to 1940 (Devil's Slide) in a spot where any responsible party shouldn't have a road to begin with. Just a small amount of political bias there.

Comment from James Johnson, (1/11/2012, 10:50 AM)

As is normal with this administration, back them and you get bucks, resist them and get what paddy shot at. States being sued on political issues, like AZ, OK and MS get zero.