US Secretary of Transport Sean Duffy visit Tennessee said Monday that the Trump administration is working with local officials to accelerate repairs to key highways to North Carolina.
Interstate 40 normally offers 24,000 vehicles a day through South Appalachians, but has halted its power of attorney after being damaged by a landslide during a catastrophic hurricane in September .
“This time, we are carving out these burdensome barriers to getting the job done.”
“When you drive here, you can see why it's so expensive,” Duffy explained. “One mountain, the other river, and you have this road collapse. …It's an expensive project, but it's a project worth it.”
Duffy He told reporters He signed a contract with the US Forestry Services to speed up repairs by getting permission to use rocks from nearby, rather than carrying them from traditional sources far away. He said that doing so would allow the highway to reopen more quickly.
“Today's announcement will help ensure that this important project is delivered more efficiently for the American people. In many cases, the federal government will slow recovery and create obstacles that will reduce costs.” Duffy said. “This time, we are surviving these burdensome barriers to get the job done and ensuring USDOT's full support for the success of our state partners at every stage of this entire project.”
Pete Battigieg, the Biden administration's Secretary of Transport, visited the site in October and said the highways would reopen in a few months. The Knoxville News Sentinel reported that former President Joe Biden said the Tennessee Department of Transportation would pay $70 million for I-40 repairs and I-26 repairs.
“I know I want to open this path and build faster and cheaper,” Duffy continued. “President Trump told us, listen, we're all working together and we're a mentality for a 'one federal decision'. ”
The Tennessee Legislature passed $450 million in disaster relief in January.
“I think we feel like a small town. The small community is forgotten. They are left behind,” Duffy said.
“I can promise you this: I'm not going to forget North Carolina,” he added.
You can watch a video of Duffy's visit and comments In a news report From Wyff-TV on YouTube.
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