Federal Highway Administration to Provide $1 Million in Emergency Relief for Flood-Damaged Roads and Bridges, Gov. Nixon Announces

Press Release

Gov. Jay Nixon today thanked U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) for providing $1 million in emergency relief funds to repair flood-damaged roads and bridges in Missouri.

According to the Federal Highway Administration, Missouri will receive $1 million in initial, or "quick release," funds from the agency's Emergency Relief program to begin the important repair work, further assess damages, and begin to restore traffic to normal as the state continues its work in assessing its repair needs. The quick release funds will be used primarily to restore emergency access and to initiate the most critical repairs in the next few weeks.

"The extent of damage to roads across a large portion of Missouri is still being assessed, but this emergency relief funding will help begin repair work in the areas where it is needed the most," Gov. Nixon said. "I want to thank Secretary Foxx and the FHWA for making these funds available as an initial step."

"But for the decisive and immediate response from Gov. Nixon and Missouri's congressional delegation, this great news for the state would still be weeks away," said Missouri Department of Transportation Director Patrick McKenna. "Quick action brought quick results, and we will use this funding to address the most immediate needs."

The flooding in late December and early January forced the closing of hundreds of roads across Missouri; some roads remain closed.

FHWA officials said that Missourians should be assured that the funds announced today are only an initial installment toward completing all necessary repairs, as a result of the flooding. The FHWA's Emergency Relief program provides funding for highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

On Saturday, the federal government approved the Governor's request for a federal emergency declaration, which made federal resources available, specifically the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency, available to speed debris removal and relieve the strain of response and recovery costs in many regions. For more information about the debris removal program, visit http://www.mo.gov/flood-recovery.

The Governor also said that damage assessments are continuing for the purposes of seeking a federal disaster declaration for Individual Assistance. Assessments for public assistance are scheduled to begin next week. Individual assistance means that eligible individuals and households can seek federal assistance for uninsured losses from severe weather and flooding. Public assistance allows local governments and eligible nonprofit agencies to seek assistance for response and recovery expenses associated with the severe weather and flooding.

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