MDOT requests emergency funds from US Department of Transportation

On Tuesday, the Michigan Department of Transportation submitted a notice of intent to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration requesting emergency relief funds to repair damaged roads.

If granted the funds would be used to only repair federally funded state and local roads in Houghton, Menominee and Gogebic counties.

Damage estimates to these roads from the recent flooding exceed $28.7 million.

The FHWA will now determine eligibility for federal relief funds following an review of these estimates.

"The amount that we are asking for really is only a portion of the amount of damage to the road system in Copper Country and we've asked the highway administration to provide this money as quickly as possible and we are waiting to hear the determination," explained Dan Weingarten of MDOT.

MDOT will continue to repair flood damage. They ask to motorists to be cautious and alert when driving through Houghton County for changing conditions and potential hazards.