DOT Sets $679 Million for Road Repairs

The Department of Transportation is making $679 million available to states to cover costs incurred to repair roads and bridges damaged by “a variety of natural emergencies and catastrophic events.”

The emergency relief funds will go to 28 states and Puerto Rico to pay for damages caused by storms, hurricanes and other disasters, including the recent Midwestern floods and hurricanes Ike and Gustav.

Transportation Secretary Mary Peters made the announcement during a visit Thursday to Galveston, Texas, where Hurricane Ike came ashore in mid-September.

The funds will be used to reimburse states for fixing or replacing damaged highways and bridges, establishing detours, removing debris and replacing signs, lighting and guardrails, DOT said.