
The Federal Highway Administration announced more than $352 million in emergency quick-release funds to repair major highways destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
Interstates 40 and 26 in North Carolina and Tennessee will receive the bulk of these emergency funds, with $250 million going to the North Carolina Department of Transportation. The Tennessee DOT is set to receive $70 million.
Additionally, $25 million will support the National Park Service’s efforts to make repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway, while $7.6 million will be used by the U.S. Forest Service to provide safe travel along routes impacted within local national forests.
“Hurricane Helene devastated communities and cut off critical road infrastructure, and our Department is committed to helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure in order to support the impacted area’s long-term recovery,” U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a statement. “The emergency relief funding we’re announcing today will continue this important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”
As part of the ongoing & long-term support for communities affected by Hurricane #Helene, FHWA today announced the immediate availability of $352.6M in #EmergencyReliefFunds provided through the “quick release” process for use by the @myTDOT, @NCDOT, @forestservice &… pic.twitter.com/iCjIBTgMtn
— Federal Highway Admn (@USDOTFHWA) January 13, 2025
Travel between western North Carolina and Tennessee remains limited, and numerous truck closures for vehicles over 30 feet are in place, according to the NCDOT website. As of Tuesday, Jan. 14, 185 roads were completely closed, with 55 routes closed to truck traffic.
“The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with Tennessee, North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service to ensure all roads and bridges are operational and made whole again to restore mobility for residents and businesses and support the region’s economy,” Acting Federal Highway Deputy Administrator Gloria M. Shepherd said. “The funding will go toward restoring major critical routes that the region relies upon for productivity and roads and bridges that support tourism by connecting Americans to the region’s natural resources.”
$167 million in emergency relief was previously provided to help infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene in North Carolina and Tennessee. Total damage estimates resulting from Hurricane Helene are expected to exceed $4 billion, FHWA said. LL
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