The US Department of Transportation (US DOT’s) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has granted $3m in emergency relief funds to help the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) cover the costs of repairing federal-aid roads damaged by heavy rains and flooding.

Significant rains in April resulted in flooding and mudslides across the state, causing highway embankment failures and road and bridge damage.

"Getting roads open again and restoring travel will help all those who rely on these roads get back to their normal routine."

Due to these rains, a section of SH 52 collapsed in Lee County near Beattyville and a portion of SH 22 in Louisville was completely washed out.

US Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx said: "Kentucky’s transportation systems have recently suffered damage from both winter snow storms and April floods, and these emergency relief funds allow the department to quickly help out when the state needs it the most."

The funds will be used to remove debris and all other work needed to reopen the affected roads to traffic.

According to state officials, the estimated cost of stabilising and repairing the impacted areas is $9m and this work is necessary to prevent further damage to Kentucky roads, as well as to ensure safety of the travelling public.

Acting federal highway administrator Gregory Nadeau said: "We are working closely with KYTC to ensure all the repairs are completed.

"Getting roads open again and restoring travel will help all those who rely on these roads get back to their normal routine."

According to US DOT, funds from FHWA’s Emergency Relief Programme will reimburse the state for emergency work done in the immediate aftermath of the weather event.

The emergency relief programme offers funds for the repair or reconstruction of federal-aid roads and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.