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Thompson announces $2 million Federal Highway Administration grant to repair infrastructure damaged by Valley fire
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – U.S. Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-5) on Tuesday announced a $2 million Emergency Relief grant for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways and roads on federal lands that have suffered serious damage as a result of the Valley fire.
The funds come from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration, or FHA.
“The Valley fire is the third worst fire in California’s history and has caused untold amounts of damage to critical infrastructure,” said Thompson. “There is a lot of rebuilding and recovery ahead of us, and repairing our roads is a big part of that process. I commend the FHA for their swift approval of these funds. They will help greatly as our community works to gets back on its feet.”
Emergency Relief funds are awarded to a state after the president or the governor issues a formal emergency declaration and the state files a request for Emergency Relief for the cost of damages to its eligible highways.
Eligible repair work includes emergency repairs needed to restore essential traffic, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the remaining facilities as well as permanent repairs necessary to restore the highway to its predisaster condition.
The Valley fire, which started on Sept. 12, has burned more than 76,000 acres and is currently 79-percent contained.
Thousands of people have been displaced, and 1,238 homes, 68 commercial properties and 642 outbuildings have been destroyed, officials reported.
The Valley fire has caused significant damage to area highways. The highway damage involves pavements, signs, guardrails and safety features, destabilized slopes and embankments, and debris from trees and burned structures.
Thompson represents California’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes all or part of Contra Costa, Lake, Napa, Solano and Sonoma counties.