Santa Cruz County to receive State and Federal funding for storm damage repair
Santa Cruz County is set to receive State and Federal funding to help repair roads damaged by El Nino-driven storms.
According to a County press release, severe weather in March of 2016 caused more than $9.7 million in damage to area roadways. Governor Jerry Brown declared an emergency, but County officials have been waiting to see how repairs would be funded.
On Wednesday, the County announced that the California Office of Emergency Services will fund a “substantial portion of repairs on local roads,” while the Federal Highway Administration would fund repairs to federal aid-eligible routes.
The County estimates about $6.3 million in damages are eligible for State funding, while roads eligible for federal funding saw $3.4 million in damages.
“We’d like to thank our partners at the State and federal government for stepping up to help us out during a time of need,” Santa Cruz County Public Works Director John Presleigh said. “This will allow to get started on these projects and help get things back to normal for residents impacted by the storms.”
Damaged roads include Buena Vista Drive, Buzzard Lagoon Road, Cathedral Drive, China Grade, Coward Road, East Zayante Road, Eureka Canyon Road, Kings Creek Road, Miller Cut Off, Mountain Charlie Road, Rider Road, Trout Gulch Road, Valencia School Road, West Hilton Drive and Schulties Road.
