FHWA 31-13 Wednesday, July 24, 2013 Contact: Nancy Singer Tel: 202-366-0660

Funds to Help Repair Roads, Bridges Damaged in Summer Flooding

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation is immediately making available $5 million in emergency relief funds to help New York cover the costs of repairing roads and bridges damaged by flooding in June and July in central and northern parts of the state.

"New York residents have faced many transportation disruptions in the past year," Secretary Foxx said. "Our priority is to help them get things back to normal as soon as possible by reopening roads so people can get to work and continue their daily routines without worrying about delays caused by detours."

Funds from the Federal Highway Administration's Emergency Relief Program will reimburse the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) for emergency contract work done to reopen numerous state routes in the region, including NY51, NY 80, NY 5 and NY 168 and repair pedestrian and highway bridges over Otsquago Creek.

The flooding caused by heavy rain over an extended period affected 15 counties in central and northern New York. Continuous downpours caused flash flooding and closures of roadways and bridges.

"The federal government will continue to help communities in New York as they recover from these floods," said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez. "The funds provided today represent a down payment on our support."

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.

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