USDOT Allocates $1.5B to Repair Disaster-Damaged Infrastructure Across 36 States, Territories

U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced more than $1.5 billion in federal funding through the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief program to repair roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, with over $683 million specifically allocated for Hurricane Helene recovery. The funds will support projects across 36 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico, targeting critical routes such as North Carolina’s I-40 highway, which suffered severe damage causing major traffic disruptions. Secretary Duffy emphasized the administration's commitment to expediting project approvals to enable communities to rebuild quickly and cost-effectively, citing repairs to I-40 as projected to save two-thirds in both cost and time. The damage from Hurricane Helene was extensive, notably washing away railroad infrastructure including sections of CSX’s Clinchfield Railroad and Norfolk Southern lines. The funding also addresses infrastructure affected by other natural disasters across multiple states, ensuring comprehensive support for recovery efforts. This initiative reflects a coordinated federal effort to restore vital transportation networks impacted by extreme weather events under President Trump's leadership.