FHWA 40-15 Thursday, May 27, 2015 Contact: Nancy Singer (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON - U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $5 million in Emergency Relief funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) cover the costs of repairing federal-aid roads damaged by floods and torrential rains throughout the state.

“As the nation has seen in numerous televised reports, highways and bridges throughout the Lone Star State have suffered severe damage from recent rain and flooding,” said Secretary Foxx.  "The funding provided today will give communities in Texas a head start on the recovery process.”

The cost of repairing roads caused by significant rainfall and flooding in 37 counties is expected to reach at least $20 million. State officials will update such estimates as rains and flooding begin to taper.

These emergency funds will be used to help pay for initial bridge and road repairs in Blanco County and Hays County, including the replacement of the RM-165 Blanco River Bridge in Blanco County and IH-35 pavement repairs in Hays County.

"We’re working closely with TxDOT to ensure repairs are made immediately and avoid further damage,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. “These Emergency Relief funds will make it possible to repair key routes that are impassible.”

Funds from FHWA's Emergency Relief Program will reimburse the state for emergency work done in the immediate aftermath of the weather event. 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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