LITTLE ROCK — Arkansas will receive $9 million to repair and reconstruct federal roads and highways damaged by storms, flooding and tornadoes last spring, the state’s congressional delegation announced Thursday.
The grant funds, along with $1 million already received by the state Highway and Transportation Department, “will help speed up recovery efforts and help our communities get back on their feet,” said U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor, D-Ark.
A total of 75 tornadoes were confirmed in Arkansas last year, 67 of them in April and May when 12 people were killed.
Flooding also occurred throughout the state during the spring storms, forcing a number of road closures, including Interstate 40 over the White River in eastern Arkansas.
The U.S. Department of Transportation, which issued the grant, said the money will be used to complete emergency repair work across Arkansas.
Pryor announced the grant funding jointly with U.S. Sen. John Boozman, R-Ark., and U.S. Reps. Rick Crawford, R-Jonesboro, Tim Griffin, R-Little Rock, Steve Womack, R-Rogers, and Mike Ross, D-Prescott.