~ State also receiving $4.8 million for projects related to flooding in southeastern Minnesota ~

Saint Paul – Governor Tim Pawlenty announced today that the U.S Department of Transportation has released $123.5 million in emergency relief (ER) funding to the State of Minnesota for emergency response, recovery and rebuilding of the I-35W Bridge. An additional $4.8 million was released to help pay for repair or reconstruction of roads damaged by flooding in southeastern Minnesota.

“We greatly appreciate the release of these federal funds and the support the federal government has given Minnesota," Governor Pawlenty said. “This is real money, not just the promise of funds, which can be used to help the state, the City of Minneapolis and Hennepin County recover from the bridge disaster. Now we hope Congress will deliver the remaining money they have promised.”

The $123.5 million in ER funding announced today is separate from the $250 million that was authorized by Congress in August. So far, $55 million of the $250 million authorized by Congress has been made available to Minnesota.

At this time, costs related to the I-35W Bridge collapse, recovery and rebuilding are estimated at $397 million. The federal government has approved $371.7 million of that as eligible for ER funding.

“Mn/DOT, Minneapolis, Hennepin County and the Federal Highway Administration have been working diligently from the first days of these disasters to secure emergency federal funds so that recovery and rebuilding efforts can move forward as quickly and smoothly as possible,” Governor Pawlenty said. “We will continue this work to secure all promised federal assistance.”