In a release, the U.S. Department of Transportation said the money is on top of around $167 million previously sent to repair hurricane-damaged infrastructure.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — More money is heading to Tennessee and North Carolina to help the state repair a highway that crossed state lines and was damaged by Hurricane Helene.
The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) said Monday it would immediately send a total of around $352.6 million to help repair infrastructure in the region, including the highway. The money will be available for the Tennessee Department of Transportation, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service in North Carolina.
NCDOT will be able to use up to $250 million for repairs to Interstate 40 and TDOT will be able to use $70 million for repairs to I-40 and Interstate 26. The National Park Service will be able to use $25 million for repairs along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The U.S. Forest Service also got $7.6 million to help crews remove downed trees and make temporary roadway repairs to make sure people can safely travel along routes in national forests impacted by the hurricane.
USDOT said in a release that the funds are on top of around $167 million already sent to North Carolina and Tennessee to help the states recover after Hurricane Helene.
A part of I-40 was originally expected to partially reopen by New Year’s Day, allowing traffic to once again travel between Tennessee and North Carolina. However, the opening was delayed after another 60-foot section of the road collapsed in late December.
Traveling state-to-state on I-40 was still not possible as of Jan. 13 but there are other routes drivers can take.