The federal government is making $1 million in emergency relief funds available immediately for Iowa to help pay for urgent repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced Wednesday, June 25.
“We’re making this down payment so repairs can start immediately and communities can receive the assistance they need without further delay,” Peters said. “The people of Iowa need to know that everything will be done to restore the state’s damaged highways and bridges quickly.”
“As governor, I am committed to doing whatever I can to return life to normal for Iowans, and this funding will help us do just that,” said Iowa Gov. Chet Culver. “Together, with the help and cooperation of everyone on the local, state and federal levels, I am confident that we will rebuild our state – even better and stronger than before.”
Peters said the $1 million quick release was intended to help Iowa address repairs that need immediate attention to restore essential traffic in eastern portions of the state until a full assessment of the damage is completed.
The Department of Transportation will continue to work with officials from Iowa and other Midwestern states as they evaluate the extent of road damage caused by the floods, Peters said. More resources likely will be made available based on those evaluations, she said.
The Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events; the program typically works on a reimbursable basis.
“Transportation is critical to the rebuilding process after natural disaster strikes,” said FHWA Acting Administrator Jim Ray.
