DOT 182-04
Contact: Doug Hecox
Thursday, September 30, 2004
(202) 366-0660

Federal Highway Administration Announces Funds to
Repair Roads Damaged by Hurricane Ivan in Pennsylvania

PITTSBURGH, PA – U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today that the federal government will provide $494,000 as a down payment for emergency relief funds available for Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) in the wake of recent floods.

“Today we follow through on the President’s commitment to help rebuild areas damaged by Ivan,” Capka said during a news conference in Collier Township, west of Pittsburgh. “This is a down payment to help Pennsylvania begin rebuilding ravaged roads from the recent hurricane.”

During a visit to Noblestown Road, near Robinson’s Run Creek outside Pittsburgh, to assess damage by Tropical Depression Ivan, Rick Capka, Deputy Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, said that funds would be immediately available for repairs to federal-aid roads and highways in the state.

"The remnants of Tropical Storm Ivan caused great destruction across the Commonwealth, especially to our roads and highways which were overtaken by water," U.S. Senator Arlen Specter said. "This funding will spur the rebuilding process and ensure that our roads remain safe. I applaud Secretary Mineta and the Federal Highway Administration for providing this vital funding for Pennsylvania."

"While visiting Carnegie earlier this week, I saw the need for this funding to restore the local roads and highways that were washed out and destroyed by Ivan," said U.S. Senator Rick Santorum. "I am pleased to see that the federal government is able to provide funding for Pennsylvania when there are so many folks along the East Coast affected by Ivan. This is only the first installment of federal aid to Pennsylvania, and I am optimistic that more will come."


"These funds are desperately needed to repair a seriously damaged road that is critical to the survival of the businesses, as well as for public safety, in our communities," said U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy. "We are grateful for the quick action of the FHWA."

The funds for Pennsylvania come from the Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief fund. This money is available to states for reimburse for damages to federal-use roads during a range of emergencies, including hurricanes. The Bush Administration also is requesting an additional $600 million in highway relief funding to pay for additional damages incurred recently from Hurricanes Charley, Frances, Ivan and Jeanne.

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