BATON ROUGE – Governor Bobby Jindal today thanked U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters for her announcement that Louisiana will receive $2 million in immediate emergency funds for roads and bridges damaged from Hurricane Ike.

"I appreciate the federal government's recognition of the toll Ike took on our infrastructure," Jindal said. "This $2 million will be put to very good use as we work to remove debris and re-open damaged roads and bridges. We will continue to work to get the additional resources we need to complete this work."

In a statement issued today, Peters called the money “a down payment on our commitment to the people of this region” and announced that Louisiana would receive the money as "quick-release" funds from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Emergency Relief Fund. The quick-release funds help Louisiana's cash flow as the state continues its emergency response and recovery work.

Damage assessment teams from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) continue to assess hurricane affected areas. For Ike, DOTD estimates it will cost about $66 million to repair roads and bridges that receive federal highway funding and to pickup debris along those routes.

DOTD Secretary William D. Ankner said, "We thank Secretary Peters for these first funds, which will immediately go toward expenses we are incurring every day. We look forward to continuing this federal-state partnership as we address our $66 million in needs from Ike."

-30-

www.dotd.la.gov