WASHINGTON, D.C. (LOOTPRESS) — U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, and member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced three grants totaling $7,186,999.40 through the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program for infrastructure repairs and improvements following flood damage in West Virginia in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

“On multiple occasions over the past several years, heavy flooding has left West Virginia’s infrastructure systems in need of repair,” Ranking Member Capito said. “We haven’t forgotten about the need to address the damage done to roads and trails in communities across our state following these floods, which is why the funding being announced today is so critical. I look forward to seeing the rebuilding efforts in the impacted areas so residents and visitors alike can continue enjoying the Mountain State for years to come.”

Individual awards and details listed below:

·        $3,757,966.40 – for repairs following June 2019 flooding

o   On June 30, 2019, heavy rain and flooding caused damage to roads and trails in the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas, Pendleton, Tucker, Randolph, and Grant counties in the State of West Virginia. Damage to federally owned roads occurred at 28 sites on multiple roads and trails. Bridge abutments were scoured, with superstructure damage. There was also damage to aggregate road surface and culverts. Federally eligible emergency and permanent repairs include: replacing abutments, removal and resetting bridge superstructures, bridge replacement, culvert cleaning, embankment repairs with special rock embankment (riprap) and geotextile lining, gabion face and mechanically stabilized earth wall at the base of a slope, roadway reconditioning, aggregate surface, removing and replacing existing cross pipes, ditch reconditioning, and shoulder reconstruction.

·        $3,350,117 – for repairs following August 2018 flooding

o   On August 31, 2018, heavy rain and flooding caused damage to roads and trails in the Monongahela National Forest in Pocahontas, Webster, Nicholas, Pendleton, Tucker, Randolph, Grant, and Greenbrier Counties in the State of West Virginia. Damage occurred on nine sites on multiple federally owned roads and one trail. Federally eligible permanent repair includes bridge replacement and pavement reconstruction.

·        $78,916 – for repairs following October 2017 flooding

o   Starting on October 30, 2017 and ending on October 31, 2017, unusual heavy rains inundated Mid-Atlantic States all the way into New England. Both state and presidential disaster declarations were announced for multiple states. This storm affected several counties in West Virginia and New Hampshire. Damage to federally owned roads occurred at 25 sites on multiple roads and trails in the Monongahela National Forest. Federally eligible permanent repair includes bridge replacement and pavement reconstruction.