Press Release Archive
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Governor Culver, U.s. Transportation Secretary Peters Announce $1 Million Quick Release For Iowa Roads
Emergency Grant to be used for urgent repair of roads and bridges damaged by floods
DES MOINES – Today, Governor Chet Culver and Lt. Governor Patty Judge announced that the US Dept. of Transportation is making $1 million available immediately in emergency relief funds to the Iowa Department of Transportation for Iowa to help pay for urgent repairs to roads and bridges damaged by floods.
“As Governor, I am committed to doing whatever I can to return life to normal for Iowans, and this funding will help us do just that,” said Iowa Governor Chet Culver. “I want to thank the U.S. Dept. of Transportation for making this commitment to Iowa’s transportation recovery efforts. Together, with the help and cooperation of everyone on the local, state and federal levels, I am confident that we will rebuild our state – even better and stronger than before.”
“We're making this down payment so repairs can start immediately and communities can receive the assistance they need without further delay,” US Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said. “The people of Iowa need to know that everything will be done to restore the state's damaged highways and bridges quickly.”
As a result of last week’s flooding, it is projected that around 500 miles of state highways and 4,500 miles of county roads have been closed, are closed or will be closed due to severe weather that began on May 25. Of this, more than 1400 miles of roadway is expected to need maintenance and repair.
The $1 million quick release is intended to help Iowa address repairs that need immediate attention to restore essential traffic in eastern portions of the state until a full assessment of the damage is completed.
The Secretary added that the Department would continue to work with officials from Iowa and other Midwestern states as they evaluate the extent of road damage caused by the floods. She said more resources will likely be made available based on those evaluations.
The Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. The program typically works on a reimbursable basis.
“Transportation is critical to the rebuilding process after natural disaster strikes,” FHWA Acting Administrator Jim Ray.