Tuesday, May 23, 2023
By: Izzie Lund
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden announced in a Tuesday morning a new grant that will repair roads and bridges damaged by weather events like floods and wildfires.
According to the release, roughly $8.3 million will go towards the U.S. Forest Service under the U.S. Department of Transportation’s emergency relief program.
“The funding will be used for road and bridge repairs on Forest Service roads that have sustained damages from extreme weather events,” the release said. “This program helps states and federal agencies pay for unusually heavy expenses resulting from extraordinary conditions.”
Both senators spoke in support of the award.
“Oregonians across the state depend on safe and reliable roads to conduct business, visit Oregon’s iconic natural wonders, and much more,” Merkley said in the news release. “As we face intensifying storms and wildfires from climate chaos, ensuring these routes are accessible is crucial to protecting communities around Oregon. This funding will help the USFS keep roads clear and safe for everyone.”
“The ability to travel safely from Point A to Point B on Forest Service roads and bridges is a must for rural Oregonians, and for everybody who’s taking advantage of our state’s world-class recreation opportunities,” Wyden said in the news release. “The wildfires and extreme weather devastating Oregon in recent years have left significant damage on these thoroughfares. I’m gratified the federal government finally is investing in this rural infrastructure that’s essential to quality of life in every nook and cranny of our state.”
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