Federal Funding
FHWA Sends $908M to North Carolina for Helene Repairs in $1.9B USDOT Disaster Package
Latest emergency relief allocation also includes major funding for Key Bridge collapse work, California storms and Puerto Rico recovery
Flood damage from Hurricane Helene is visible in western North Carolina in the storm's aftermath. The Federal Highway Administration has allocated $908 million for Helene-related transportation repairs in the state as part of a broader $1.86-billion disaster relief package.
The U.S. Dept. of Transportation on June 18 announced $1.86 billion in emergency relief funding for roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure damaged by natural disasters, with $908 million directed to Hurricane Helene recovery in North Carolina.
Federal Highway Administration allocation documents show the Helene recovery funding accounts for about 51% of the agency's $1.77 billion nationwide emergency relief allocation package.
North Carolina's total allocation reaches $913.7 million, with funding for other storm events included, while Tennessee and Georgia will receive $42.7 million and $1.4 million, respectively, for Helene repairs.
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FHWA | State Allocations
The latest allocation brings FHWA's total commitment for Helene recovery to $3.4 billion across affected states, including $2.9 billion for North Carolina, and follows earlier federal awards for repairs to Interstate 40 and other storm-damaged transportation facilities in the western part of the state.
"As hurricane season begins, we're reminded that when disaster strikes, its essential leaders mobilize quickly to help American families in need," U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy said in a statement.
"Our roads and bridges are essential infrastructure that keep our local economies moving," Duffy added. "That's why the Trump Administration is getting these critical dollars out the door so communities can rebuild their transportation networks immediately."
Outside North Carolina, the largest single allocation is $300 million for transportation work associated with the March 2024 collapse of Baltimore's Francis Scott Key Bridge.
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California will receive $260.7 million tied to flooding, atmospheric river events, winter storms and wildfires, while Puerto Rico will receive $90.8 million for hurricane and storm recovery projects.
Separate FHWA allocations for federally owned roads include $7.8 million for Hurricane Helene repairs in North Carolina national forests and other federal lands.
FHWA Administrator Sean McMaster said the agency will continue working with states until damaged roads and bridges are restored.
"When transportation links are broken, this causes interruption to people's lives and our economy—getting them back up and running again is essential," McMaster said.
According to DOT, the remaining funding will support repairs associated with 2024 flooding and mudslides in multiple states, 2025 storms and flooding in Arizona, atmospheric river events in western states and other disaster-related transportation damage nationwide.
Bryan Gottlieb is the online editor at Engineering News-Record (ENR).
Gottlieb is a five-time Society of Professional Journalists Excellence in Journalism award winner with more than a decade of experience covering business, construction and community issues, including finance, law and real estate. He has reported for Adweek and the San Diego Daily Transcript and led a community newsroom in Santa Monica, Calif. He served as editor-in-chief of the Detroit Metro Times and as managing editor at Roofing Contractor, where he helped shape national industry coverage. At Engineering News-Record, Gottlieb covers breaking news, large-scale infrastructure and megaprojects, regulatory developments and business trends across the U.S. and global construction sectors.
email: gottliebb@enr.com | office: (248) 786-1591
