Agencies in Idaho, Oregon and Washington will receive $2 million in federal aid for repairing highway infrastructure on federal lands affected by heavy rains in December, the U.S. Department of Transportation announced June 7.
Nearly 20 inches of rain that fell in the region half a year ago significantly damaged roads, resulting in erosion and bridge failures. Multiple routes were closed. Areas hard-hit by the heavy rains included Gifford Pinchot and Idaho Panhandle national forests, and Olympic National Park in Washington.
“Thousands of drivers use these roads each year, especially during the heavy tourism months of summer," Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said. “We are committed to doing everything we can to help repair and reopen these routes quickly and safely, to support the well-being of the people and the economy in the northwest U.S.”
Federal Highway Administrator Gregory Nadeau said, “We want to ensure that everyone in this large region has access to safe roads and bridges, and especially so on these federal lands roads to accommodate a busy tourism season this year.”
