The Federal Highway Administration will dedicate more than $705 million in emergency relief funds to help 34 states and three territories rebuild infrastructure mangled by natural disasters.
The funds, announced Feb. 5, are meant to help the states, American Samoa, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands repair roads and bridges that have been damaged by floods, storms and other natural disasters.
FHWA’s emergency relief program reimburses states, territories and federal land management agencies for expenses associated with damage wrought by natural disasters. In addition to road and bridge reconstruction, the funds support detours, guardrail replacements and safety device repairs.
“The department is pleased to reimburse states and territories that have made critical repairs to their transportation infrastructure following natural disasters such as wildfires, storms and floods,” Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao said in a press release.
About $153 million (more than one-fifth of the total sum) will be dedicated to repairing infrastructure ravaged by hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria in 2017.
Harvey swept through the Houston area in August causing massive flooding in what is one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history.