On Tuesday, September 23, Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Sean P. Duffy announced the largest single allocation for a state in U.S. history, with $1.15 billion dedicated to repairing and rebuilding roads, bridges, and other infrastructure damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The funds will be distributed through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief (ER) program, which reimburses states for critical recovery work such as debris removal, emergency traffic operations, and reconstruction of seriously damaged transportation assets.
“This historic investment in the recovery effort is just one of many actions my Department has taken to support the region,” Secretary Duffy said. “We will not rest until the communities devastated by Hurricane Helene are made whole again.”
FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster will join state and local officials at Interstate 40 to review recovery progress, building on Secretary Duffy’s February visit where USDOT and the U.S. Forest Service announced a partnership allowing NCDOT to source rock and materials from nearby federal lands and waterways, reducing hauling distances, project costs and timelines.
For contractors, the funding represents not only an immediate opportunity to deliver critical recovery projects but also a broader reminder of the need to continue investing in resilient infrastructure that can withstand future disasters.
For more information, please contact Jonathon Porter.