The Federal Highway Administration awarded $653.2 million in Emergency Relief or ER funds on February 27 to help 37 states – as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – repair roads and bridges damaged by storms, floods, mudslides, wildfires, and other severe weather events over the past several years.
[Above photo by the Alaska DOT&PF]
This round of ER funding includes awards of:
- Nearly $229 million for California for continued repairs to roads and bridges damaged by winter storms in 2017, as well as by wildfires.
- Nearly $51 million to Puerto Rico for ongoing repairs to roads and bridges damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.
- More than $38 million to Alaska for damages caused by an earthquake and floods.
- More than $36 million for New York, which includes funding for repairs to damage caused by severe winds and flooding.
- Over $30 million to Iowa for damages caused by significant flooding along the Missouri River in 2019.
- Over $11 million for Michigan for flooding at various locations throughout the state.
Since 2017, the FHWA said it has reimbursed states, territories, federal land management agencies, and tribal governments $4.2 billion for eligible expenses associated with damage from natural disasters or other emergency situations.
The funds help pay for the reconstruction or replacement of damaged highways and bridges along with the arrangement of detours and replacement of damaged safety devices.