The U.S. Department of Transportation on Thursday, Sept. 22, made $2 million in quick release emergency funds immediately available to the New Jersey Department of Transportation to begin repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods from Hurricane Irene. NJDOT will use quick release funds to expedite emergency repairs to roads, highways and bridges throughout the state.
“The aftermath of Hurricane Irene has left New Jersey residents with a massive cleanup job and limited mobility because of damaged roads and bridges,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said. “This emergency relief funding will help the state make repairs that will restore critical routes to help communities get back up and running.”
New Jersey suffered flooding and substantial damage to roads and bridges from Hurricane Irene’s rainfall on Aug. 26-28. NJDOT estimates that overall damage to federal-aid highways from these floods is estimated to exceed $11 million. “Getting funds immediately into communities to help clear debris and make repairs quickly to roads and bridges will not only speed up recovery, but it will also prevent additional costly damage,” Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez said.
Quick release emergency funds provided by FHWA will be used to reimburse counties for the cost of repairs that were done in order to resume essential traffic flow immediately after the flooding and prevent further damage. FHWA’s emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.
