U.S. Transportation Department Allocates $353 Million for Infrastructure Recovery in North Carolina and Tennessee
In a significant move to bolster the recovery efforts in North Carolina and Tennessee, the U.S. Department of Transportation has announced an additional $353 million in relief funding. This financial aid is aimed at rebuilding critical infrastructure that was severely damaged by Hurricane Helene.
Previously, both states received $167 million following the hurricane’s destructive impact in September. The majority of the newly allocated funds, $250 million, is earmarked for reconstructing Interstate 40, a vital transportation route that experienced substantial damage from the storm. Sections of the highway were washed away, and it remains indefinitely closed at the North Carolina-Tennessee border. A recent incident further delayed its reopening, initially set for early 2025, when a section of asphalt collapsed along the Pigeon River Gorge. For more details, visit the official announcement.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg stated, “Hurricane Helene devastated communities and cut off critical road infrastructure, and our Department is committed to helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure in order to support the impacted area’s long-term recovery. The emergency relief funding we’re announcing today will continue this important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”
Additional allocations from the relief package include:
- $70 million directed to the Tennessee Department of Transportation for repairs on I-40 and I-26
- $7.6 million designated for the U.S. Forest Service to address repairs and remove hazards from roads and bridges within National Forests
- $25 million assigned to the National Park Service for restoration work along the Blue Ridge Parkway
