The U.S. Department of Transportation announced $5.7 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief funds to repair flood damage to bridges and roads in Custer Gallatin National Forest in south central Montana.
Rain and warm temperatures causing existing the snowpack to melt resulted in record flooding June 5-17, according to a July 1 Federal Highway Administration news release. There are reportedly 58 roads and 21 bridges still impassable.
“The recent flooding in the Yellowstone region has washed away roads and bridges that residents rely upon for their livelihoods and tourists rely on during their vacations," Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. "The emergency funding we’re providing today will help get this critical infrastructure safely reopened as quickly as possible.”
The emergency funding will be used by the Forest Service to restore emergency access to the Custer Gallatin National Forest. That will include Mill Creek, West Rosebud Creek, East Rosebud Creek, West Fork Rock Creek and Main Fork Rock Creek Roads, the release reported.
“Custer Gallatin National Forest is a significant part of the economy in this part of the country, affecting families, workers and the tourism industry,” Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said in the release. “It is part of an ecosystem that brings to the fore the urgency of preventing and combatting the ravages of climate change.”
This is the fourth quick release funding for the area, the news release said. It is in addition to $65 million recently awarded to Montana Department of Transportation, the Wyoming Department of Transportation and the U.S. Department of Interior’s National Park Service for Yellowstone National Park for flood damage repair.
