WASHINGTON, D.C.-U.S. Senator Susan Collins, the top Republican on the Senate Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) will provide $3.5 million in emergency relief to the Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT). This funding will help cover the cost of repair to roads in Androscoggin, Cumberland, Oxford and Sagadahoc Counties that were damaged by extreme runoff and flooding following heavy rains beginning on June 2, including Route 136 in Durham.
"The unusually strong storms and downpours last year caused flooding that has posed tremendous challenges to transportation infrastructure all across our state," Senator Collins said. "I am pleased that this emergency funding will be made available to help the Maine Department of Transportation cover the costs of repair to Route 136 and several other Maine roads that were hit especially hard by the heavy rains."
"I want to thank Senator Collins for her tireless efforts in helping to secure this emergency funding," said MaineDOT Commissioner David Bernhardt. "No one better knows the challenges of our weather than Senator Collins. Her willingness to act on behalf of all Mainers continues to define what it means to be from Maine."
This funding comes in addition to the initial $500,000 that Senator Collins announced last June which was also used to help repair Route 136 between Auburn and Freeport.
The Federal Emergency Relief Program, through U.S. DOT, helps states pay for the unusually heavy expenses for the repair and reconstruction of federal roads damaged by natural disaster or catastrophic failures.