The Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has earmarked $5 million to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DODT) to aid roadway and bridge reconstruction following Hurricane Laura.
“Southwest and central Louisiana has seen tremendous damage from Hurricane Laura,” DOTD Secretary Shawn D. Wilson said. “Thousands of miles of state roadways were impacted by this disastrous storm, and these funds will assist in expediting the reconstruction of any roads and bridges that were damaged. I want to thank Secretary Chao and FHWA Administrator Nason for the swift response to our request.”
The funding allotment represents a portion of what the state estimates the cost of repairs to damaged infrastructure will be. The funds were made available via the FHWA’s Emergency Relief program, which reimburses states on reconstruction expenses incurred through natural disasters or emergency related situations.
The effort is being administered following the disaster declaration for the state authorized by President Donald Trump.