The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) today announced the immediate availability of $352.6 million in Emergency Relief (ER) funds provided through the “quick release” process for use by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT), U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service in North Carolina.
This is the latest installment of funding from the Emergency Relief program in addition to $167 million provided to North Carolina and Tennessee for Hurricane Helene recovery efforts.
“Hurricane Helene devastated communities and cut off critical road infrastructure, and our Department is committed to helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure in order to support the impacted area’s long-term recovery,” said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The emergency relief funding we’re announcing today will continue this important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”
Emergency Relief funds via this “quick release” will be used toward the following repair efforts:
- $250 million for North Carolina DOT to fund eligible repairs to damaged facilities including I-40.
- $70 million for Tennessee DOT to perform eligible repairs to multiple facilities including I-40 and I-26.
- $7.6 million for the U.S. Forest Service for removing downed trees, making temporary roadway repairs, and removing overhead hazards and other debris from roadways and bridges to provide safe travel along various routes in impacted National Forests.
- $25 million to support the National Park Service in making repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway, including landslides, guardrail damage, debris removal and restoration of local access.
Hurricane Helene brought heavy rainfall, flooding, winds, and tornadoes that impacted the Southeast in September of 2024. Cumulative federally eligible damage estimates for this event are still being refined and are anticipated to exceed $4 billion.
