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U.S. DOT Sandy Relief Hits $29M

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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In the two weeks after Hurricane Sandy paralyzed several states on the East Coast, the U.S. Department of Transportation has approved $29 million in quick release emergency relief funds.

"These emergency relief funds represent only the start of our commitment to the region's recovery," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

Photos: Flickr / MTA New York

The U.S. DOT has released a total of $29 million to repair infrastructure damage by Hurricane Sandy.

Quick Release Funding

Several states have requested—and received—millions of dollars in quick release emergency funds for immediate repairs to roads, bridges, and tunnels.

"President Obama made it clear that we need to do all we can to help communities get their transportation systems up and running, and we are doing that," said LaHood.

Right after the worst of the storm ended Tuesday, Oct. 30, the U.S. DOT released $13 million; New York received $10 million and Rhode Island received $3 million.

The following day (Oct. 31), North Carolina was approved for $4 million in federal aid. The state will use the funding to repair damage along the coast.

"North Carolina can count on full support from the federal government during this time of need," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "It's essential to get roads and bridges fixed so people can begin to get back to normal life."

The DOT's quick release funds aid immediate repairs to infrastructure.

In a third installment of funds, New Jersey received $10 million and Connecticut received $2 million. New Jersey plans to use the funding to help maintain essential traffic flow and repair sections of highway necessary to prevent further damage. Connecticut is using funding for general emergency repairs to federal aid highways.

NY Opens Tunnel

On Tuesday (Nov. 13), New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that the battered Hugh L. Carey Tunnel was opened to car traffic, with some restrictions.

The tunnel, which connects Brooklyn and Manhattan under the East River, was badly damaged after Hurricane Sandy unleashed 43 million gallons of corrosive seawater into the structure.

Gov. Cuomo is expected to request $30 billion in federal disaster aid, including $3.5 billion to repair the region's bridges, tunnels, subways, and commuter rail lines, the New York Times reported. While the request has not been formally introduced, it also proposes using federal disaster money aid to make improvements to the state's aging infrastructure.