(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) and Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire announced today that Washington state will receive over $63 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to reimburse money the state spent to repair roads after several incidents of flooding over the past three years, including the devastating December 2007 floods. Senator Murray, who Chairs the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, worked in conjunction with the state to acquire this reimbursement from FHWA after the Bush Administration did not request any funding to help repair the federal highways in Washington state that had been damaged. Funding was also secured to reimburse the state for repairs to the Alaskan Way Viaduct stemming from the 2001 Nisqually earthquake. The $63,131,000 will be allocated to the state today.
“With our state’s budget tightening, we can’t afford to be forced to foot the bill for repairing federal roads and highways that have been damaged by natural disaster,” said Senator Murray. “That’s why it has been so important to work to secure these funds after the Bush Administration left our state to fend for itself. I’m proud to have worked in partnership with Governor Gregoire to secure these funds and will continue to work with her to help our residents and infrastructure recover without burdening the state budget.”
"I’m pleased for the people of Washington.” Gregoire said. “This reimbursement, which Senator Murray worked hard to secure, returns to us resources we need to continue to respond to new emergencies and disasters. My sincere thanks to Senator Murray for her help."
The $63,131,000 that will be allocated today will be a reimbursement to the state in the following amounts:
- November 2006 Flooding: $11,200,000
- December 2007 Rainfall and Flooding: $45,136,000
- May 17, 2008 Flooding: $1,180,000
- July, 10, 2008 I-5/SR 11 Overpass Truck Crash: $1,115,000
- February, 28 2001 Alaskan Way Viaduct work stemming from Nisqually earthquake: $4,500,000
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