The U.S. Department of Transportation will release $6.5 million in emergency relief to fix roads and bridges in the U.S. Virgin Islands that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.
This follows $8 million previously provided in emergency relief.
Most of the latest round of funding will be used to restore traffic signals on St. Thomas and St. Croix and repair damaged highway intersections, according ti USDOT.
“The ‘quick release’ payments to U.S. Virgin Islands are considered as initial installments of funds used to restore essential traffic and limit further highway damage, which can help long-term repair work begin more quickly,” USDOT says.
“The work continues to rebuild broken transportation links in the U.S. Virgin Islands in the aftermath of Hurricanes Irma and Maria,” said Acting Federal Highway Administrator Brandye L. Hendrickson. “These additional funds will help ensure residents can travel safely.”