Additional funding released for I-35W bridge in Minneapolis

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters March 5 released an additional $195 million in emergency relief funding to help rebuild the I-35W bridge that collapsed in August 2007. This brings the total federal transportation investment in the recovery and rebuilding effort to almost $377 million.

“We've made it clear that Minnesota will have the resources it needs to recover and rebuild from this tragedy," Secretary Peters said. "Today we keep that commitment to reconnecting this community."

Secretary Peters added that the Department remains committed to paying the full cost of eligible repairs to rebuild the bridge and will reimburse Minnesota as additional costs are incurred.

The $195 million will go toward the repair and reconstruction of the bridge. In addition to bridge-related repair and recovery efforts, emergency relief funding has also gone toward restoring traffic flow in the region and clearing debris immediately following the collapse.

The FHWA's emergency relief program reimburses states for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid highways damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.