U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced this week he is making $76 million in emergency relief funds available to New Jersey to continue to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. The funds, which come from the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013 passed by Congress and signed by President Obama, bring the total funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program to $224 million for New Jersey’s Hurricane Sandy-related repairs.
“These funds represent our ongoing commitment to help New Jersey and her neighbors rebuild and recover from Hurricane Sandy,” says Secretary LaHood. “The work is far from over but, as President Obama has directed, we will continue to help these states recover by rebuilding the transportation infrastructure they need to get to work, school, and everywhere else they need to go.”
Funds from the Department’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be used to reimburse the state for expenses associated with damage from Hurricane Sandy, including reconstructing or replacing damaged highways and bridges, creating temporary detours and replacing safety devices such as guardrails and overhead lighting.
“Restoring roads and bridges damaged by a massive storm like Hurricane Sandy is critical to helping New Jersey and its residents,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "We are committed to moving the entire region toward a speedy recovery and will continue to provide assistance every step of the way.”
FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.
