The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) will receive more than $6.8 million from the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Emergency Relief Program to help cover the costs to repair roads and bridges damaged during Tropical Storm Lee in late-summer 2011.

“When the severe weather struck late this summer, SHA responded aggressively to make repairs so that those roads and structures that were impacted could be reopened to traffic as soon as it was safe to do so,” said Maryland Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley.

“When the unexpected happens, the one thing that is certain is that recovery will cost money. In these times when budgets are tight, federal recovery assistance is key. We appreciate the continued support of our Congressional delegation and the assistance provided by our partners at the federal level.”

Last September Tropical Storm Lee inundated creeks and rivers and washed away sections of road as several inches of rain fell across Maryland. Significant damage followed in its wake as roads were washed out, debris damaged bridge structures, ramps eroded away, drawbridge motors were flooded and pavement was compromised.

Forty-four Maryland State roads and 20 county-owned roads were damaged.

The majority of Maryland’s federal reimbursement funding is for three major repairs:

1) $3.1 million to replace the MD 234 Bridge over Allens Fresh Run in Charles County. This bridge was completely washed out and a new temporary structure was constructed in less than three months. Design on a new permanent structure is under way.

2) $1.1 million for pavement and drainage repairs along U.S. 301 near MD 6 in La Plata, Charles County. Two sections along southbound U.S. 301 washed out following more than 6 in. of rain. Crews worked around the clock to repair both sections of southbound U.S. 301. More than 38,000 vehicles use this section of U.S. 301 every day.

3) $1 million to repair the southbound MD 2 ramp to westbound MD 100 in Anne Arundel County. A massive pipe collapse caused a 70-ft. long by 16 ft.-wide by 30-ft. deep hole to form on the ramp. Crews worked daily to repair the pipe and construct a huge concrete structure under the ramp.

“No matter the emergency — blizzards, hurricanes, tornados or flooding — the men and women of SHA will be there to keep travelers safe along Maryland’s highways,” said State Highway Administrator Melinda B. Peters. “It is gratifying that the federal emergency grants will defray the costs so that the everyday operations to keep highways safe are not impacted.”

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