New Orleans will get another $1.2 billion to repair roads, infrastructure

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - The feds are kicking in $1.2 billion to help fix roadways and water, sewer and drainage pipes in New Orleans damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The settlement brings the total to more than $2 billion for roads and subsurface infrastructure, Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced Thursday.

The city has been in discussions with FEMA for the past year to determine the final estimate of costs for repairs.

"I am excited to announce that after years of negotiations with FEMA, the city and sewerage and water board have reached a final settlement for Hurricane Katrina-related damage to New Orleans' roads and subsurface infrastructure," Landrieu said.

The mayor called FEMA "a valued partner" in our recovery and thanked them for their continued commitment.

He said the city will make significant progress repairing outstanding damage left by the storm.

Under the agreement, FEMA

Under this agreement, FEMA agreed to the amounts below:

City of New Orleans

• To date, FEMA has approved $409,237,093 in public assistance funds to the City of New Orleans for disaster-eligible road and drainage repairs. FEMA has determined that an additional $1,120,882,769 is eligible and will be provided as a capped sub-grant. Funding from the $409,237,093 may be included in the capped sub-grant for any projects where construction has not yet begun.

Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans

• To date, FEMA has approved $375,660,835 in public assistance funds to S&WB for water, sewer and drainage repairs. FEMA has determined that an additional $128,986,034 is eligible and will be provided as a capped sub-grant. Funding from the $375,660,835 may be included for any projects where construction has not yet begun.

"I and FEMA look forward to building upon this progress with Governor-elect Edwards, members of Congress, volunteer organizations, the private sector, and communities all across the Gulf Coast," Fugate said.

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