The US Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has announced $729m in funding to repair roads and bridges damaged by hurricanes, flooding and mudslides, and to improve their resilience to future disasters.
Money will be allocated to projects across 34 states, as well as the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.
The cash will pay for continuing repairs to damage caused by the 2022 flooding in Yellowstone Park, hurricanes Ian, Fiona and Nicole, and flooding and mudslides in Vermont.
Florida is to receive $223m, California will get $124m and Arizona, Hawaii, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Vermont and Washington will each receive over $20m.
Pete Buttigieg, US transport secretary, said: “These funds will help restore critical transportation connections across the country as communities continue to repair and rebuild infrastructure damaged by extreme weather.”
Shailen Bhatt, FHWA administrator, said: “Climate change is devastating communities across the US in every state. Our transportation system was not designed to handle the climate impacts we are seeing in the 21st Century.
“Since January 2022, FHWA has distributed over $1.3bn in Emergency Relief dollars to help states make repairs because of climate-related events. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is providing new programmes and funding opportunities.”
