USDOT sends emergency relief funds to South Carolina

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) recently announced that it has sent $5 million in emergency relief funds to the state of South Carolina; the funds, which were taken from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and given to the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), will be dedicated to repairing the bridges and roads that have received flood damage.

“Emergency relief funding will help the state begin immediately to recover from record breaking flooding,” U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx said. “We want South Carolinians to know this funding is only a down payment on our commitment to ensuring all highways and bridges are repaired in the state. More resources will become available as estimates for the cost of repairs become clear.”

Beginning on Oct. 2, 2015, South Carolina received torrential rains for several days. Many regions had over 20 inches of rain, which caused flooding and significant damage. I-95, I-26 and other important routes are closed, and travelers are having long detours and delays on their daily commutes.

“The damage is of historic proportion and the state is hurting,” U.S. Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau said. “We know that the losses are great throughout the state but getting roads and bridges back up and running again is the first step to restoring communities again.”