The U.S. Department of Transportation said this week that it will provide $1 million in emergency-relief funding from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to repair roads on federal lands damaged by recent flooding in Chattahoochee National Forest in northern Georgia.
“These emergency-relief funds will make immediate repairs throughout the area possible,” FHWA Administrator Gregory Nadeau said. “We want to ensure that everyone in northern Georgia has access to safe roads and safe bridges – especially on these important federal lands -- so travel there can return to normal as soon as possible.”
These funds are set aside to address damage from extreme weather and other natural phenomena.
Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said many drivers utilize these roads, especially during the upcoming summer months, when the area sees significant levels of tourism activity. The funding will help speed up repairs to ensure the roads are ready for the summer travel season, which unofficially begins on Memorial Day. Rain damage has resulted in area residents being forced to use detours that would add approximately one hour to travel times.
“We are committed to doing everything we can to help repair and reopen these routes quickly and safely to ensure that the people and businesses of Georgia and nearby Tennessee do not suffer economically,” Foxx said.
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