The Department of Transportation (DOT) has provided an additional $40 million to Louisiana and Mississippi as part of the federal government's commitment to help Gulf Coast states rebuild roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Katrina.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will immediately advance each state $20 million in emergency relief funds that may be used to repair or rebuild portions of I-10, US 90 and other federally-supported highways and bridges, according to DOT information.
The announcement represents the second installment of federal funds for highway and bridge repairs since the hurricane struck. In mid-September, DOT announced $5 million in emergency relief funds to each state as an initial down payment.
The Bush Administration has requested that Congress provide an additional $2.3 billion for repairing and rebuilding Katrina-damaged highways and bridges.
FHWA's emergency relief program reimburses states for certain costs when federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands have suffered serious damage from natural disasters or catastrophic events.