Washington, D.C. – The Federal Highway Administration approved a request for federal emergency relief funds to repair and reopen Interstate 40 following the massive rock slide that closed it in late October, Congressman Heath Shuler said Friday.
“I am happy to see the FHA move so quickly on our request that the state of North Carolina will be reimbursed for the cleanup of I-40,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “This portion of I-40 is essential to the people and businesses of Western North Carolina, and the FHA’s decision today will speed up the reopening of the Interstate.”
On October 30, Congressman Shuler and Congressman Phil Roe, R-Tenn., sent a letter asking the FHA to promptly approve emergency relief funds. The letter also was signed by the entire North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations.
Today, the FHA approved emergency relief funding and agreed to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for its work to remove debris and repair I-40, according to a letter sent to Congressman Shuler today.
Interstate 40 serves as a vital transportation and commerce link for the U.S., particularly the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. About 25,000 vehicles a day, including 10,000 tractor trailers, travel the section of I-40 that was closed due to the rockslide. Interstate 40 is not expected to reopen until January, according NCDOT officials.
“I am pleased and grateful that this extremely critical regional issue garnered such strong support across state and party lines,” Shuler said. “I also appreciate how quickly and effectively Governor Perdue responded to this disaster at the state level.”
On October 28, Perdue declared the I-40 rock slide a disaster, which was the first step in seeking federal emergency funds. The FHA’s emergency relief program reimburses states and local governments for the cost of fixing damage caused by floods, tornados, landslides and other natural disasters.
“I want to thank the Congressional Delegation for insuring the FHA was aware of the severity of the road damage resulting from the rockslide,” Gov. Perdue said. “NCDOT is working as quickly as possible to open the road with public safety our first goal.”
"We understand how disruptive the closure has been for the multi-state area,” FHA Administrator Victor Mendez wrote in his letter to Congressman Shuler. “I can assure you that we will continue working with NCDOT to get traffic back to normal."