U.S. DOT provides $128M for road, bridge repair

The U.S. DOT made available more than $128 million in additional emergency relief funds to pay for repairs to roads and bridges damaged by a variety of natural and other emergencies.  

The funds will go to seven states and other federal facilities, like parkways, to pay for damages caused by storms, floodings 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, while in Mississippi the funds will go toward the repair of roads damaged by Hurricane Katrina.  

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), a part of the U.S. DOT, will reimburse the states for expenses associated with these 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 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.