AASHTO Journal, 15 March 2013
The Arizona Department of Transportation announced last week it has received some funding assistance from the federal government to fix a portion of a vital highway ravaged by a landslide last month.
The U.S. Department of Transportation has made $2 million in quick release emergency funds available to the state to begin the work necessary to repair about 500 feet of US 89 that buckled on Feb. 20, causing the roadway to slide, crack, and tear. Because the roadway is far from drivable, ADOT had to close a 23-mile stretch of US 89, causing extensive detours on a roadway that serves as a major route in the northern section of the state. ADOT estimates the damage will cost about $35 million to repair.
“Our budget for emergencies is very limited, and local governments have even greater financial constraints with limited cash available to fund emergencies,” said Jennifer Toth, ADOT deputy director for transportation, in a statement. “This initial allocation serves as a down payment on the overall emergency relief needs for US 89. It will offset the cost for the geotechnical investigation of the landslide area to determine short- and long-term options.”
The Federal Highway Administration’s emergency relief funding reimburses states for the repair or reconstruction of transportation infrastructure (such as roads and bridges) damaged during natural disasters or “catastrophic failures.”
“Restoring transportation links after a natural disaster is critical to area residents as well as the economy,” said Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez in his own statement. “This funding represents payment on our commitment to repairing this important highway.”
A video highlighting the damage of the roadway and ADOT’s steps moving forward is available here. An ADOT blog post on the incident is available here.
