The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration is making $3 million in emergency relief funds available to extend emergency financial aid to the Idaho Department of Transportation in its efforts to fix roads and bridges damaged by recent flooding.
In a July 11 Federal Highway Administration news release, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg announced the funding will ensure roadways in Idaho which were damaged by the floods can safely reopen.
“The emergency funding we’re announcing today will help the people of Idaho recover from these devastating floods and safely reopen their roads and bridges as quickly as possible,” Buttigieg said in the release.
According to the FWHA news release, the funds are part of the Emergency Relief Fund and will help repair damaged roads. The release noted grounds in the north central and northeast sections of the state started to experience runoff and flooding issues in June, which led to conditions that made travel perilous. NezPerce and Idaho counties experienced extreme moisture, runoff and flooding occurred following the heavy rains.
“Today’s funding represents a down payment on our federal commitment to ensuring roads and bridges in Idaho damaged by the flooding are repaired as quickly as possible,” said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack, according to the release. “The flooding has interrupted daily life in communities in the region, and we hope that by restoring vital transportation links, people can regain a sense of normalcy.”
The FWHA news release noted the funds will assist with emergency repair efforts to maintain traffic flow in the state, including Nez Perce County’s section of US 95, Southwick Road, Webb Road and Gifford-Reubens Road along with Idaho County’s Toll/Clear Creek Road.
