Published: 10-24-08
Funds will be used to repair transportation infrastructure that suffered damage as a result of natural disasters including Hurricanes Dolly and Ike
AUSTIN—Texas will receive federal funding totaling $96494804 for repairs and reconstruction to highways roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters and catastrophic events U.S. Sen. John Cornyn announced Thursday. The funding which Sen. Cornyn worked in the U.S. Senate to secure is part of the Continuing Resolution that includes $23 billion for disaster funding.
The funds will be used for several recovery projects across the state. $72 million will go toward rebuilding transportation infrastructure that suffered damage as a result of Hurricanes Dolly and Ike. Additionally continued efforts to rebuild transportation infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Rita in 2005 floods in El Paso in 2006 and storms in North Texas in 2007 will receive funding.
“Hurricanes Dolly and Ike delivered devastating blows to our state this summer even while Texans were still working to rebuild after previous natural disasters such as Hurricane Rita. These funds are critical in helping Texans recover and rebuild and will provide much-needed assistance to those working on maintenance and safety improvements of damaged highways roads and bridges” Sen. Cornyn said. “Safe and quality infrastructure is essential in helping Texans get back on their feet.”
Funding will also be used for the repair and reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of natural disasters. Eligible repair work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic minimize the extent of damage or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore highways to their pre-disaster condition.
Background
Sen. Cornyn has been in close contact with local leaders in the impacted areas as well as Governor Rick Perry state and FEMA officials Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff and President Bush. Following both storms Sen. Cornyn visited the impacted areas and met with local elected and emergency management officials to assess firsthand the level of damage and need for assistance in rebuilding.
Sen. Cornyn also worked to secure additional relief for Texas hurricane victims in a Senate bill aimed at extending several tax relief measures. Originally the tax relief package treated Texas disparately with regard to flood relief for Midwestern states. Sen. Cornyn worked with Senate leadership to negotiate the inclusion of two major tax provisions tax-exempt bonds and a low-income housing tax credit that will directly help Ike victims rebuild their homes and businesses.
On Sept. 19 Sen. Cornyn joined Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and 28 Texas members of the U.S. House of Representatives in writing to President Bush urging him to support the emergency supplemental appropriations request for critical disaster assistance funding. On Oct. 1 President Bush signed into law the Continuing Resolution that included an additional $23 billion for disaster funding and this $96 million which Sen. Cornyn worked to secure represents a portion of that funding.
