$32 Million Emergency Funds for Tennessee Roads

The U.S. Department of Transportation has allocated over $30 million in Emergency Relief funding to Tennessee for the repair of roads and bridges severely damaged by Hurricane Helene, which impacted eight counties. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg emphasized the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to supporting recovery efforts, stating that this funding serves as a 'quickly released down payment' for immediate needs. The Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) is set to use these funds to restore critical infrastructure, particularly on I-40 and I-26, which were closed due to extensive damage including roadway washouts and bridge repairs. The Federal Highway Administration has confirmed further assistance will be available as needed to support ongoing recovery efforts. Local officials have expressed gratitude for this initial support and look forward to continued collaboration with federal agencies to restore the transportation network. The Emergency Relief program aims to not only repair but also strengthen infrastructure against future disasters, in line with the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.