DOT continues support for Sandy relief efforts

Yesterday, states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast continued clearing roads, rails, and transit lines of water and debris. In North Carolina, DOT made immediately available $4 million in quick release emergency relief funds to help begin repairing the damage to the state's highways, seawalls, and bridges. We expect other states to apply for emergency relief funding in the coming days.

President Obama was in New Jersey to witness the devastation, comfort residents, and pledge the full support of the federal government in the recovery effort. Across the state, the storm damaged homes, flooded communities, and left more than 2 million people without power. The President surveyed the effects of the hurricane with Governor Chris Christie and visited displaced residents at a shelter.

"Number one, and most important, our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones," the President said. "My second message is we are here for you, and we will not forget; we will follow up to make sure that you get all the help that you need until you've rebuilt."

Here at DOT, we're working to fulfill that promise by doing all we can to support our state and local partners as they restore vital transportation infrastructure through:

• FHWA emergency relief funding so far in New York, Rhode Island, and North Carolina;
• FMCSA emergency declarations that help trucks bring relief supplies and materials into the region without delay;
• FTA technical support for transit systems overwhelmed by the storm's havoc; and
• FAA efforts to re-establish air service in the New York area.

This morning, those affected by Sandy are beginning to see the difference the states' hard work is making as NJ Transit and New York's MTA are continuing to restore bus and rail service where they can, and the region's airports are opening for business. For the most current route-specific information, commuters should check with NJ Transit or the MTA, and air travelers should contact their carriers.

I want to thank the state departments of transportation whose road crews have been and continue to be out in force, trying to clear roadways.

All of these organizations are trying their best  and working their hardest to help people get back to their normal activities, and we at DOT will do whatever we can to support them.