To ameliorate infrastructure conditions in the storm-ravaged island territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) recently allocated each entity millions in emergency road repair relief.
The outlying islands experienced damage from Hurricanes Maria and Irma. For Puerto Rico, an additional $30 million supplements an earlier endowment of $42.5 million in emergency relief funding, tallying a total of $72.5 million to date for the territory; the U.S. Virgin Islands will receive $6 million to enhance an earlier total of $2 million.
“These additional funds are part of the department’s long-term commitment to helping the people of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands rebuild and recover from devastating storms,” Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said.
FHWA is structured to accommodate infrastructure emergencies when areas are struck by such natural disasters, such as major tropical storms. The assistance will pay for restoring access to bridges; repairing guardrails and traffic signals, and other recovery efforts following environmental repercussions such as flooding.
“[We] know that restoring roads and bridges will be lengthy process and will require a great deal of resources,” acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye Hendrickson said. “That’s why we’re providing additional federal funds today to speed repairs and reopen vital transportation links.”
Alerts Sign-up