Gulf Coast Get $868M for Repair and Reconstruction Work

Gulf Coast states still rebuilding after last year’s devastating hurricanes will share $868 million in federal funds aimed at fueling road and bridge projects, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today. Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida will use the money to repair or rebuild federally supported highways and bridges damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Mineta said. Of the money released today, Mississippi will receive $740 million, Louisiana $75 million, Florida $42 million and Texas $11 million for repairs based on formal requests already received from the states, Mineta said. Additional funds are likely to be received once the states issue final requests for aid, he added. Eligibility for federal funds varies by project, but in most cases, the federal government will pay for 100 percent of the work, he added. The funding was included in a $2.75 billion emergency relief package requested by President Bush and approved by Congress late last year. Earlier, the Department sent $25 million each to Louisiana and Mississippi, allowing them to begin repairs while they waited for Congressional action on a more comprehensive transportation funding package.