FHWA 39-15 Thursday, May 21, 2015 Contact: Nancy Singer (202) 366-0660

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced the immediate availability of $3 million in Emergency Relief funds from the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to help the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) cover the costs of repairing federal-aid roads damaged by heavy rains and flooding.

"Kentucky's transportation systems have recently suffered damage from both winter snow storms and April floods, and these emergency relief funds allow the Department to quickly help out when the state needs it the most," said Secretary Foxx.

Significant rains last month resulted in flooding and mudslides throughout Kentucky, causing highway embankment failures and road and bridge damage statewide. Specifically, a section of SH 52 collapsed in Lee County near Beattyville, and a portion of SH 22 in Louisville was completely washed out.

The emergency funds will be used to remove debris and all other work needed to reopen the affected roads to traffic. State officials estimated the cost of stabilizing and repairing the impacted areas is $9 million. This work is necessary to prevent further damage to Kentucky roads and to ensure the safety of the traveling public.

"We are working closely with KYTC to ensure all the repairs are completed," said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau. "Getting roads open again and restoring travel will help all those who rely on these roads get back to their normal routine."

Funds from FHWA's Emergency Relief Program will reimburse the state for emergency work done in the immediate aftermath of the weather event. FHWA's Emergency Relief 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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