April 21, 2015

Manchin and Capito Announce $5 Million to Restore West Virginia's Highways and Roads

Funding will be used to repair damages caused by Winter Storm Thor

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today announced $5 million in federal funding to repair West Virginia’s highways and roads that were damaged by Winter Storm Thor, which moved through the state between March 3 and March 6, 2015 and caused severe weather conditions and damages. The financial aid will be used to make crucial emergency repairs, as well as permanent repairs, necessary to restore the highways and roads to their pre-disaster conditions.

“Winter Storm Thor took a destructive toll on many West Virginia communities, impacting our homes, businesses, highways and roads,” Senator Manchin said. “I have heard from numerous West Virginians over the past month about the poor road conditions caused by the storm, and I know that there is a great need for this funding across the Mountain State. I’m so pleased that the necessary repairs will be made so that our residents and travelers can once again safely utilize our roads and highways and get back to their daily lives.”

“Many of West Virginia’s highways, roads and communities endured significant damage from Winter Storm Thor. This funding puts us on the path toward recovery, and allows us to begin making the necessary repairs and improvements to protect those who travel on our roads and highways,” said Senator Capito.

These funds have been awarded to the West Virginia Department of Transportation by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief (ER) Program. The ER Program funds repairs when serious damages have been caused by a natural disaster, a formal emergency declaration has been issued, and a request is filed for ER for the cost of damages to its eligible highways.

On March 26, Senator Manchin led the West Virginia delegation in sending a letter to the President expressing their full support of Governor Tomblin’s request to declare a major disaster for the state as a result of Winter Storm Thor. To read the letter, please click here.

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