FHWA 17-14 Monday, June 23, 2014 Contact: Neil Gaffney Tel: 202-366-0660

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $750,000 in emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help the state of Minnesota by covering the costs of repairs to roads damaged by floods last week.

"These funds are a down payment to help Minnesotans begin repairing roads damaged in last week's flooding," said Secretary Foxx. "One of the first steps in getting repairs underway is to make funds available and we are working to ensure the state can get the necessary work started quickly."

Last week's heavy rainfall led to flooding statewide. On June 19, Governor Mark Dayton declared a State of Emergency for 35 counties in south, west and northern Minnesota from the Iowa state line to the Canadian border.

"We are working with the Minnesota Department of Transportation to help all residents, commuters and businesses who rely on these affected roads," said Deputy Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "Every day counts when it comes to fixing damaged roads, and we will be there to help the state every step of the way."

Funds from the FHWA's Emergency Relief Program will reimburse the state for emergency work done in the immediate aftermath of the flooding. The program provides funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

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