News Releases
Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - March 12, 1999
Contact:  Contact: Clarissa Lundeen, WSDOT (360) 705-7075

Locke requests more federal highway aid to repair roads damaged by winter storms

OLYMPIA – Gov. Gary Locke today requested Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) aid to repair storm-damaged roads in 16 Washington counties. The governor's request would extend FHWA assistance to eligible state highways, county roads and city streets. The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT), county and city governments estimate the storms caused $18,594,435 in damage.

"Since late January, floods, winds, landslides and flooding have taken a heavy toll on Washington road and highways," said Locke. "Winter storm damages to city, county and state roads now totals more than $18.5 million. Federal aid is needed to repair bridges, culverts and roadways, and to provide emergency protective measures to deal with slides and washouts."

Damage caused by floods, wind, and mudslides includes bridge damage, washouts, slides, culvert damage, road replacement and emergency protective measures. The following estimates, provided by WSDOT and local governments, may change as further analysis is done:

Local government estimates of damages to county roads and city streets:

Clallam County
$700,000

Cowlitz County
$1,000,000

Douglas County
$5,000

Jefferson County
$80,000

King County
$5,540,000

Lewis County
$15,000

Pacific County
$52,435

County/city total
$7,392,435

WSDOT estimates of damages to state highways:

Benton County
$30,000

Clallam County
$420,000

Ferry County
$30,000

Franklin County
$30,000

Grays Harbor County
$90,000

Jefferson County
$23,000

King County
$175,000

Kitsap County
$15,000

Lewis County
$150,000

Mason County
$10,185,000

Pierce County
$12,000

Stevens County
$37,000

Thurston County
$5,000

WSDOT Total
$11,202,000


Total of local and WSDOT estimates: $18,594,435



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