AUSTIN – Governor Greg Abbott announced today that The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is receiving $25 million in federal funds to help rehabilitate the state’s transportation network after Hurricane Harvey waged an unprecedented attack on the Lone Star State. The Federal Highway Administration made the funds available for all counties on the Governor's Disaster Declaration.

"The immediate response from the federal government to the State of Texas has been tremendous, and these funds couldn't come at a better time," said Governor Abbott. "This money will go to use immediately for debris removal, clean up, and repairs to infrastructure. There is still a long road of rebuilding ahead, but this is a great first step and much needed in the hardest hit communities across Texas."

The storm made landfall on Aug. 24 as a Category 4 hurricane, flattening structures on the barrier islands at Corpus Christi and slowly moving inland with torrents of rain and tornados. An unprecedented 50 inches of rain have fallen in areas around Houston and the tropical storm continues to creep its way through southeast Texas.

More than 1,500 TxDOT employees have been assessing and addressing the disaster that has affected almost 50 Texas counties. The historic flooding has downed traffic lights, damaged roadway signs and caused highway asphalt to buckle or worse, be swept away in some areas. To date, more than 530 roads remain flooded or closed. As TxDOT faces the enormous challenge to respond and address Harvey’s path of destruction, agency leaders say the federal funds will help them with everything from debris removal and traffic light replacement to bridge and road repairs.

“The clean-up after this hurricane will be a huge task,” said Tryon Lewis, Texas Transportation Commission Chairman. “These funds, quickly provided by the Trump Administration, will help TxDOT to fulfill Governor Abbott's direction to get our highways clear so Texans can get back to their daily lives.”

“I am so grateful that TxDOT will be able to put these needed resources to work immediately for debris removal and road repairs”, said Bruce Bugg, Texas Transportation Commissioner. “The Trump Administration and Governor Abbott have been aligned and in lock step in helping address this monumental task we all face in the recovery following Hurricane Harvey.”