The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has allocated approximately $110 million for the renovation of eight public transportation projects that were damaged during recent natural disasters.
A news release from the DOT revealed that these projects are managed by state Departments of Transportation in six states and one U.S. territory. The projects aim to rehabilitate infrastructure that sustained damage from floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes between 2017 and 2022. The funds are being provided through FTA’s Public Transportation Emergency Relief (ER) Program, a program designed to assist states and public transportation systems in repairing and replacing equipment and facilities that have suffered serious damage. Additionally, it provides funding to transit agencies for the costs incurred during the evacuation of people during storms.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg commented on the situation, saying, "As the climate crisis accelerates, extreme weather is disrupting not just American lives and communities, but also the infrastructure we rely on every day." He further added, "Under President Biden, DOT is delivering much-needed funding to transit agencies to recover and rebuild after these disasters while we continue our work to combat climate change across every mode of transportation."
According to the media release, among the recipients of this fund are New Jersey Transit Corporation which will receive $75 million for repairs on a 70-year-old facility damaged during Hurricane Ida in 2021. In Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish, Plaquemines Port Harbor & Terminal District will be granted $18.6 million for renovations at Pointe à la Hache Ferry Crossing following damages from Tropical Storm Harvey in 2017 and Hurricane Ida in 2021. Puerto Rico Highways and Transportation Authority will receive $13.2 million to repair Tren Urbano rail system facilities after they were damaged during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September 2017.
FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez emphasized the importance of these recovery efforts, saying, "Americans cannot stop their lives because a disaster damages their transit systems." Fernandez added, "We know it is critical to fund recovery efforts for these systems, so they can keep taking Americans to work, school, doctors’ appointments and other important destinations."
