Stabenow, Peters Urge Administration to Approve Request for Emergency Highway Funding After Severe Flooding in Michigan

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (MI) and Gary Peters (MI) today urged the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to approve the State of Michigan’s request for emergency funding after severe weather in June caused catastrophic flooding and other impacts in Wayne, Washtenaw, Huron, and Ionia counties. In their letter, the senators expressed their support for the Michigan Department of Transportation’s request seeking $1.7 million to repair federal-aid highways in the affected areas, as well as $50 million in resiliency funds to support a network of pumps that could help prevent flooding on critical roadways in the future. The severe storms and flooding were devastating to the surrounding area, resulting in two deaths, widespread power outages, and the shutdown of I-94 for over a week to repair damaged pavement, which caused significant disruption to people’s lives and local economies.

“Among the many tragic impacts from these powerful storms, they damaged federal-aid highways in the affected counties. That is why MDOT is seeking $1.7 million through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program to help repair them,” the lawmakers wrote. “Additionally, Michigan is requesting $50 million to support a network of pumps that would make essential roadways that are susceptible to flooding more resilient. This is necessary to prevent even more costly damage to our infrastructure in the future, and to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. MDOT’s proposal would both protect people’s lives and keep the economy running, even during periods of heavy rainfall.”

“Communities throughout Michigan have suffered as a result of these extreme weather events, and lives have been lost,” the lawmakers continued. “We ask that you grant the State’s request expediently in order to help these communities recover and to prepare for future natural disasters.”

In June, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Wayne County and then extended the emergency declaration to Huron, Ionia, and Washtenaw counties, making them eligible for federal funding from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program. The FHWA program provides funding from the Highway Trust Fund, specifically to repair federal-aid highways and make them more resilient to future disasters.

The full text of the letter can be found below or click here.

Dear Acting Administrator Pollack,

We are writing in support of a request from Governor Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) for emergency funding to help recover from extreme weather events that harmed communities throughout the state in recent weeks.

On June 26, 2021, Governor Whitmer declared a state of emergency in Wayne County, where severe flooding and power outages resulted in two deaths and had a devastating impact on the area. Then on July 8, 2021, the Governor extended the state of emergency to Huron, Ionia, and Washtenaw counties due to flooding and tornadoes that occurred.

Among the many tragic impacts from these powerful storms, they damaged federal-aid highways in the affected counties. That is why MDOT is seeking $1.7 million through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program to help repair them.

Additionally, Michigan is requesting $50 million to support a network of pumps that would make essential roadways that are susceptible to flooding more resilient. This is necessary to prevent even more costly damage to our infrastructure in the future, and to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods. MDOT’s proposal would both protect people’s lives and keep the economy running, even during periods of heavy rainfall.

Communities throughout Michigan have suffered as a result of these extreme weather events, and lives have been lost. We ask that you grant the State’s request expediently in order to help these communities recover and to prepare for future natural disasters.

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