The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration announced $50 million in quick release Emergency Relief funds has been made available to the Florida Department of Transportation as a down payment to offset the costs of construction to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Ian earlier this month.
According to an Oct. 21 news release, the funds will go toward repairing the Sanibel Island and Pine Island Causeways to help restore essential traffic capabilities to the islands and protect the remaining facilities. FDOT also identified 20 critical intersections to prioritize for emergency repairs.
“Today we’re making available $50 million in emergency funds to help Florida repair roads and bridges after the devastation of Hurricane Ian,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in the release. “This important step is only part of a larger federal commitment: as President Biden said, we will be with the people of Florida for as long as it takes to recover and rebuild stronger.”
The FHWA Emergency Relief program complements Bipartisan Infrastructure Law programs and provisions that encourage agencies to develop and implement strategies to increase resilience to damage from climate change and future weather events, according to the release.
“The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with the Florida Department of Transportation to repair the damage caused by Hurricane Ian in Florida,” Acting Federal Highway Administrator Stephanie Pollack said in the release. “The quick release funding we are providing will help get those repairs done as soon as possible and better prepare this area for future storms in Florida.”
Hurricane Ian, a Category 4 hurricane, hit southwest Florida causing heavy rainfall for several days which severely damaged and destroyed roads and bridges throughout the state, the release reported.
