News Releases for April 2005
April 1, 2005
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Hoeven Calls For Federal Funds To Repair Devils Lake Roads
BISMARCK, N.D. - Gov. John Hoeven today called on senior administrators at the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) in Washington, D.C. to provide both short and long-term funding assistance to address the problem of roads functioning as dikes at Devils Lake. The state estimates it will cost nearly $3 million to make short-term repairs to state of North Dakota and Bureau of Indian Affairs roads in the affected area.
Hoeven met with FHA Administrator Mary Peters and Deputy Administrator Rick Capka in Washington, D.C. today. The Governor also met Friday with White House officials to push for support. Hoeven has also been pressing Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta to provide the assistance under FHA’s Emergency Relief Program.
“The recent breaches of water under Highway 20 at Spirit Lake serve as a warning that we must take both short-term and long-term measures to correct the situation of roads functioning as dikes at Devils Lake,” Hoeven said. “Today, we asked the Federal Highway Administration to step up with Emergency Relief Program funds before -- rather than after -- we’re confronted with a full-blown disaster.” Hoeven said he believed the state would receive the aid.
Hoeven on Thursday met with local and tribal leaders at Devils Lake to inspect a stretch of Highway 20 in an area known as Gerske’s Curve. Officials closed the road Tuesday evening after receiving reports of seepage under the roadbed. Hoeven sent a team of engineers and other state personnel to assess the situation and take whatever corrective action was deemed necessary. Subsequent analysis by state engineers determined that the road is safe for the time being, and traffic resumed on Friday. The highway has been raised to accommodate rising water twice in the area since Devils Lake began to rise in 1993.
“We will work to correct the current situation and continue to press for long-term funding to fortify the roads in the area,” Hoeven said.
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