U.S. Department of Transportation release initial 32 million in funding to TDOT

Saturday afternoon, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration announced the immediate release of $32 million in Emergency Relief funding for the Tennessee Department of Transportation in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Officials said these funds serve as a quickly released “down payment” to help support emergency repair work amid the storm damage in the Volunteer State. According to officials, Helene caused widespread infrastructure damage throughout Tennessee, especially in Northeast TN.  That damage includes roadway washouts, culvert loss, and a need for bridge repairs and replacements, resulting in the closure of Interstate 40 and Interstate 26 near the Tennessee/North Carolina state line.