Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the state will receive $50 million in federal reimbursement aid.
The funds will cover costs the state and local governments accrued for repairs to roads and bridges damaged during the historic 2020 flooding in Midland and Gladwin counties.
“This grant will bring federal taxpayer dollars back to Michigan and help us continue to fix the damn roads and bridges,” said Governor Whitmer in a press release. “In 2020, after historic flooding and dam failures, we took action to fix impacted roads and bridges, and I am grateful that Michigan is getting that money back."
Following the failure of the Edenville and Sanford dams in May 2020, nearly 30 roads and bridges across the region were closed for months and suffered significant damage.
According to the Federal Highway Administration, California and Puerto Rico were the only other states to receive more funding for damage caused by natural disasters to road infrastructure.
“This important funding is made possible by the presidential disaster declaration I helped secure for our community in 2020, which has brought more than $100 million in federal relief to Midland, Gladwin, and the region,” said Congressman John Moolenaar in a written statement. "Now, the state and local governments that rebuilt the roads and bridges will be paid by the federal government for the work they have done. I am proud to have led the rebuilding efforts for our region and I will continue to work with local leaders as these efforts go forward.”
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said these types of programs will continue as the threat of climate change impacts communities across the country.
