In response to destructive March flooding, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has authorized the release of $2 million in emergency relief funds to patch damaged roads in Missouri.
In March, mass flooding had caused 215 road closures throughout the United States, 46 of which remain closed. By the end, South Dakota, Iowa, Nebraska, Minnesota, and Missouri were all affected, though Missouri was among the hardest hit. Aid was requested by the Missouri Department of Transportation and funds are being pulled from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)
The Missouri DOT intends to use the money for repairs on essential traffic infrastructure, support traffic restoration and the opening of rural routes, and to prevent additional damage to those areas hardest hit by the floods. It is a fraction of what is needed, though as Missouri DOT estimates storm damages are likely beyond $10 million. Remaining damages include a bridge that needs replacement, along with several other bridge approaches.
The FHWA considers the distributed emergency funds to be a down payment on the costs of short term repairs to cover matters while the state sorts through and assesses long-term damages.