USDOT allocates $513 million for bridges and roads damaged by disaster

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced $513.2 million in Emergency Relief following natural disasters.

The program provides funds to 30 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico to repair roads and bridges damaged by hurricanes, floods, and wildfires.

Climate change impacts the lives of US residents on a daily basis, with the country’s transportation infrastructure facing more frequent and unpredictable weather damage, officials say.

Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollak said, “The emergency relief funding the administration is announcing today will primarily go towards repairing damage to roads and bridges that are important to the community across the country.”

The bulk of the FHWA Emergency Relief Fund goes to repair and restore roads and bridges after wildfires, hurricanes, floods and other natural disasters, including damage caused by Hurricane Ida in several states and wildfires in California.

“These funds help communities across our country repair roads and bridges damaged by severe weather events that are becoming more frequent due to climate change,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “From the recent hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast, to wildfires in California, and floods and landslides in many states, we must address the devastating impacts of climate change and work to build more sustainable transportation infrastructure to better withstand its impacts for years to come.”

FHWA is taking additional steps to combat climate change by updating its 2022 Emergency Relief Manual.

This is the second distribution of 2022, and the total amount exceeds $1.9 billion.