U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx announced $1 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief (ER) funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to begin repair work to roads and bridges in Arizona, California and Nevada damaged by floods last month. The ER funds are a down payment on repair costs, which officials said may top $12 million.
“By speeding repairs to flood-damaged roads and bridges that are economic lifelines for travelers and a variety of commercial shippers in the Los Angeles area and points beyond, we can help the thousands who depend on this route through Death Valley,” said Secretary Foxx.
A series of intense thunderstorms moved through southern California, southern Nevada and western Arizona during October 16-19, severely damaging roads and bridges owned by the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) spanning the three states. The floods caused loss of several primary routes through the areas, and caused heavy damage to more than 20 miles of roads. More than 100 miles of roads were closed by debris left by the floodwaters, in some cases six feet deep.
The closure of primary entrance routes to Death Valley National Park and Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge has limited nearly all emergency access for residents and visitors alike, compromising their safety and impacting the region’s economy.
“Our ER program is vital to the American people, and particularly important for rural areas crippled by such widespread storm damage,” said Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “We want to do whatever we can to help workers repair damaged roads and bridges, so these access routes can reopen and life there can return to normal as soon as possible.”
The funds from FHWA's Emergency Relief program will reimburse the NPS and USFWS for emergency work done to repair the flood-damaged highways and bridges and reopen temporarily closed routes.
- See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/us-transportation-secretary-foxx-announces-1-million-emergency-relief-funds-federal#sthash.3yCRruIO.DBw2m3bn.dpuf
