FHWA 52-12 Thursday, December 6, 2012 Contact: Kelly Dollinger Tel: 202-366-0660

Brings Total of Highway Funds to $59 Million for Impacted Region

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced he is making $10 million in quick release emergency relief funds immediately available to New Jersey to continue to repair damage caused by Hurricane Sandy. Today's announcement builds on President Obama's call, immediately following the hurricane, for federal agencies to bring all available resources to bear as quickly as possible. The funds are made possible by the President's major disaster declarations, which make federal assistance available to supplement state and local response and recovery efforts.

The $10 million for New Jersey brings the state's total to $20 million in quick release funds. With today's release, the Department of Transportation has approved a total of $59 million so far for Hurricane Sandy recovery: $20 million for New Jersey; $30 million for New York; $2 million for Connecticut; $3 million for Rhode Island; and $4 million for North Carolina.

President Obama has said we need to do all we can to help communities recover from Hurricane Sandy, said Secretary LaHood. These emergency relief funds represent another down payment, and we will continue to help until transportation is completely restored in the region.

Quick release emergency funds provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) are used for a variety of repairs to roads, bridges and tunnels that are immediately necessary. New Jersey will repair roadways and bridges-work that is imperative to get ready for the 2013 beach season, which is a huge economic generator for the state.

New Jersey can rely on us during this difficult time, said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. We will continue to provide support and financial assistance during the region's ongoing recovery.

FHWA's emergency relief program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. Restoring critical infrastructure is essential to enabling first responders and relief workers to access impacted communities and to quickly restoring services to impacted residents.

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