The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced last week that it will make available $5 million in “quick release” Emergency Relief funds to help Puerto Rico recover from a series of earthquakes.
The funds are to restore essential travel on the island, U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine L. Chao said, by repairing roads and bridges.
Funding will be used on federal-aid routes on the southwest side of the island.
Earthquakes began in late December. An earthquake Jan. 7 caused landslides and rockslides that damaged bridges and major transportation routes.
“These funds are the first step in restoring immediate transportation needs for communities in the areas affected by the earthquake,” said Federal Highway Administrator Nicole R. Nason.
Quick release funds are a down payment on the costs of short-term repairs. Puerto Rico will assess long-term repairs.
The emergency relief program funds the repair of federally eligible highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.
The U.S. House of Representatives also introduced a $3.35 billion emergency aid package that would help Puerto Rico rebuild. A total of $1.25 billion would be used for repairing infrastructure.
Puerto Rico still is recovering from Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017.