Louisiana, Mississippi Get $4 Million for Emergency Repairs

The federal government will provide $4 million in emergency relief funds to Louisiana and Mississippi to help repair roads and bridges damaged by floods caused by Hurricane Gustav, U.S. Transportation Secretary Mary Peters said Friday.

The $4 million “quick release” funding includes $3 million for Louisiana and $1 million for Mississippi, Secretary Peters said.

"We want states to get roads cleared, bridges reopened and traffic moving as quickly as possible,” said Peters.

The Federal Highway Administration's emergency relief program provides funds to states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. Emergency relief funds are provided from the General Fund of the Treasury and not the Highway Trust Fund, DOT said.