DOT awards $128 million to 7 states for road, bridge repairs

More than $128 million in additional emergency relief funds is now available to pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural and other emergencies, according to Department of Transportation (DOT) information.

The funds will go to seven states and other federal facilities, like parkways, to pay for damages caused by storms, floods, and earthquakes. In the case of California, the funds will go toward the repair of an interchange on I-580 in Oakland that collapsed because of a truck fire and of Mississippi toward the repair of roads damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The other states receiving the funds include Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New Mexico, and Washington.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will reimburse the states for expenses associated with emergency situations. The funds will be used to reimburse states for fixing or replacing damaged highways and bridges, establishing detours, removing debris, and replacing signs, lighting, and guardrails.

The emergency relief funds are part of an emergency appropriations package in the amount of $871 million, signed into law by President Bush in September 2005, to supplement FHWA's emergency relief program. The current release of funds, in addition to $675 million provided earlier this year, brings the total provided to more than $803 million with the balance still available to states upon request.

See other coverage on highway funding in Bulk Transporter online.