Disaster funds for flood and wildfire damage to AZ roads

Northern Arizona will receive the majority of the $29.2 million Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief funds that were recently awarded to the state.

According to the Arizona Department of Transportation, the Federal Highway Administration funds reimburse state and local jurisdictions for the repair or reconstruction of highways, roads and bridges that were damaged in natural disasters and catastrophic failures, including the January 2010 winter storm ($20 million) and the June/July 2010 Schultz Fire ($9.2 million) that struck Arizona.

Currently, there are 40 emergency relief (ADOT and local government) projects statewide that have either been completed or are under way. A few key projects include the $5 million retaining wall repair project on State Route 87 approximately 25 miles south of Payson and the $5.8 million drainage improvement project on US 89 approximately five miles north of Flagstaff.

Extreme snowfall and intense rainfall from the January 2010 winter storm caused millions of dollars in damage across the state, particularly along SR 87 (mileposts 223-227), a vital route that links the Phoenix metro area and Rim Country communities. Excessive water buildup caused landslides and retaining wall damage, which required emergency repairs, some of which are still ongoing.

The ADOT and Coconino County drainage improvement project near Flagstaff along US 89 (mileposts 424-429) was needed after floods following last summer's Schultz Fire destroyed the vegetation on the San Francisco Peaks. The emergency relief project should be completed this July, just before the summer thunderstorm season starts. ADOT, in collaboration with Coconino County, will continue to work on a long-term solution to this trouble spot.

[This is taken from the ADOT news release]