States get $1.6B for road, bridge repairs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Nearly $1.6 billion was awarded to states and territories to help repair roads and bridges damaged by disasters, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said.

The Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program will provide $1.58 billion to 30 states, American Samoa, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and federal land management agencies to reimburse them for repairs to roads and bridges caused by storms, flooding, hurricanes and other disasters, LaHood said Monday in a release.

"Communities from coast to coast are still recovering from disasters that have affected the roads they use, their homes and businesses," LaHood said. "The Obama administration stands ready to provide emergency relief and reimburse these communities for the work that has been done to restore their critical transportation needs."

The FHWA funding, provided by the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012, will reimburse states for fixing or replacing highways, bridges and other roadway structures, the Transportation Department said. Costs associated with detours, debris removal and other immediate measures necessary to restore traffic flow in impacted areas are also eligible for reimbursement.