The US Department of Transportation’s (USDOT’s) Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will be providing $30m through ‘quick release’ Emergency Relief (ER) funds to repair roads and bridges across Puerto Rico, and $6m for road repairs throughout the US Virgin Islands.

Prior to $30m funds, Puerto Rico received $42.5m in ER funds from FHWA to repair roads and other transport infrastructures damaged due to two hurricane events.

With this latest funding, FHWA is reported to have awarded a total of $72.5m to Puerto Rico.

The latest funds to the US Virgin Islands’ are in addition to the $2m awarded several weeks ago for both Hurricanes.

US Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao said: “These additional funds are part of the Department’s long-term commitment to helping the people of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands rebuild and recover from devastating storms.”

“These additional funds are part of the Department’s long-term commitment to helping the people of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands rebuild and recover from devastating storms.”

The fund will be used for restoring essential traffic and repairs to bridges, guardrails, traffic signal systems and address a variety of damages related to mudslides and flooding.

Federal Highway Administrator Brandye Hendrickson said: “Hurricanes Maria and Irma caused widespread damage throughout Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, and we know that restoring roads and bridges will be a lengthy process and will require a great deal of resources.

“That’s why we’re providing additional federal funds today to speed repairs and reopen vital transportation links.”

The FHWA’s ER programme provides funding for repairing highways and bridges damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events.

The ‘quick release’ are initial instalments of funds offered by the FHWA to restore essential road traffic infrastructure in the region and also limit further highway damage, which can help long-term repair work begin more quickly.