This week, North Carolina municipalities were informed that they will receive state transportation funds that they would be receiving state transportation funds that can be used to cover eligible transportation costs related to Hurricane Helene recovery.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) distributed half of this year's $186 million from the Powell Bill funds to 508 North Carolina municipalities. The other half of the funds will be distributed by Jan. 1.
Of this year’s recipients, 134 municipalities are in western North Carolina which was hit hardest by Hurricane Helene in September.
“We distribute the Powell Bill funds every year about this time to help cities and towns resurface streets and make other necessary transportation improvements,” said Joey Hopkins, secretary at NCDOT. “But a lot of folks are surprised to learn they can use the Powell Bill money for road and bridge repairs and other recovery efforts associated with natural disasters like Helene.”
The funds can also be used to remove Helene-related debris from qualified Powell Bill program streets, according to Molly Stevens, NCDOT Powell Bill Program coordinator.
Powell Bill funds are used primarily to resurface municipal streets. They can also be used to maintain, repair, construct or widen streets, bridges and drainage areas within the corporate limits
Funding for the Powell Bill comes from revenues generated by the gas tax and other highway user fees.
Source: NCDOT, Robesonian.com
