Mississippi Department of Transportation receives $500,000 to repair damaged roads

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx on Monday announced $500,000 in emergency relief funds from the Federal Highway Administration to help the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) repair roads damaged by rainfall.

"At U.S. DOT, we're committed to keeping our roads safe and these funds are critical to restoring the roads that were damaged due to significant rainfall in the Jackson area," Foxx said. "These funds will not only repair the damaged roads, but they'll help people who rely on these roads on a daily basis to get to their jobs and pick up their children at school."

Last month, Mississippi experienced severe winter weather resulting in large amounts of rainfall. The rainfall caused extensive erosion to roadway embankments along Interstate 220 in the Jackson area, resulting in the ground giving way or separating from the highway.

"These emergency funds will help state officials make immediate repairs necessary to restore critical transportation links," Deputy Administrator Gregory Nadeau said. "We are working closely with MDOT to ensure there is no further damage."