BATON ROUGE – Today, Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) Interim Secretary Sherri LeBas announced that Louisiana will receive an additional $81.4 million in Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief funding to repair damages to roads related to Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav, and Ike. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development approached Secretary Hood of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in March of this year for funding the revitalization of roads damaged by the past four hurricanes.

Governor Bobby Jindal said, “In the past four years – Louisiana has been struck by four major hurricanes that ravaged infrastructure all throughout our state – and with these funds we'll be able to make critical investments in our roadways. These dollars will improve and upgrade transportation infrastructure so that Louisiana businesses and visitors have better support for engaging in commerce and our citizens are provided with a better quality of life.”  

Interim Secretary Sherri LeBas said, “We want to thank Secretary LaHood for acting so quickly on behalf of the people of south Louisiana. Through these funds, we will be able to continue rebuilding infrastructure, which is essential to the continued revitalization of our communities affected by these hurricanes.”

The DOT funds are allocated for use on pre-qualified state roads that have been damaged as a result of natural disasters and the state’s disaster recovery efforts, including the transportation of thousands of tons of debris. 

$74.5 million is allocated to pre-qualified projects damaged by the effects of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Additionally, $7 million in funding was awarded for the reimbursement of recovery efforts associated with Hurricanes Gustav and Ike. While this funding does not complete all of the projects, it does allow DOTD to continue its efforts without disruption.  The State expects to receive additional funds next year to complete repairs to state highways across south Louisiana and to local streets in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes.

The U.S. DOT Federal Highway Administration, especially the Louisiana Division Office, played an important role in Louisiana’s historic recovery.  “We are so appreciative of the Federal Highway Administration’s efforts and look forward to a continued stellar partnership,” said LeBas.

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www.dotd.la.gov