WisDOT again extends deadline for filing state flood damage aid claims

December 20, 2007

Local governments in five southwest Wisconsin counties will have additional three months to file claims under WisDOT's Flood Damage Aid program

To assist local governments in five southwest Wisconsin counties impacted by last summer's heavy rains, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) is extending the deadline to file state flood damage aid claims for local roads and bridges damaged during the disaster. The three-month extension means municipalities will have until March 31, 2008 to file claims under WisDOT's Flood Damage Aid program.

In a letter to municipal officials, WisDOT Secretary Frank Busalacchi said the extension will provide the department additional time to submit all the required paperwork and emergency project justifications to the Federal Highway Administration for determining Emergency Relief Program eligibility. Once FHWA has approved a list of eligible sites, highway authorities will be able to submit a list of damaged sites under the state's Flood Damage Aid program.

The extension applies to the five counties (Crawford, Vernon, Richland, Sauk and La Crosse) that were declared eligible for federal disaster assistance including damage to public infrastructure as a result of flooding that occurred between August 18 and August 31, 2007. The state assistance applies to flood damages to local roads that do not qualify for federal disaster aid.

Last October, WisDOT extended the deadline for filing state flood damage aid claims to the end of 2007. The additional three-month extension to March 31, 2008 will provide state and local governments the additional time needed to recover from last summer's once-in-a-century flooding event. A copy of the letter sent to southwest Wisconsin municipalities can be found on the WisDOT Web site.

For more information, contact:
Rod Clark, director, Bureau of Transit, Local Roads, Railroads and Harbors
(608) 266-2963, rod.clark@dot.state.wi.us