U.S. Dept. of Transportation Secretary Mary Peters announced August 10 that she would make $50 million in emergency funds available immediately to help Minnesota move forward with recovery efforts.
Peters said the quick release of emergency funds would ensure that there is no delay in the recovery effort and in rebuilding the bridge over the Mississippi river. President Bush signed legislation August 6 authorizing an additional $250 million in relief for Minneapolis, but those funds will have to be appropriated by Congress before they are made available.