County gets federal money for roads damaged by 2018 storms

Sep. 14--The state has received more than $650,000 in federal money to help compensate for damage to roads in Frederick and Washington counties caused by severe storms in May and June 2018.

The U.S. Department of Transportation gave $653,805 to Maryland's State Highway Administration to reimburse the state for the repair and reconstruction of federal highways and roads that were damaged in the storms.

The storms caused an estimated $16 million in damage to private property, and more than $6 million in estimated damage to public infrastructure.

The money was announced this week by Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, and Reps. David Trone and Jamie Raskin.

The storms that swept through the county on May 15 and 16, 2018, caused heavy flooding and damage throughout the county, dropping between 5 and 8 inches of rain in different spots and causing flooding in downtown Frederick that damaged several businesses.

At one point after the storms, the county had 44 roads closed because of damage or high water.

Among the roads damaged in the storms was part of U.S. 40 Alternate between Braddock Heights and Middletown, which closed the right lane and the shoulder of the road.

Work on the $2.3 million project was completed in August, after an extensive project to repair the slope of Braddock Mountain.

In June 2018, Gov. Larry Hogan requested a presidential disaster declaration for the state from President Donald Trump because of the heavy rain and flooding in Frederick and Washington counties.

After the disaster declaration, the county announced that the U.S. Small Business Administration would provide low-interest loans to homeowners, renters, businesses, and nonprofits to repair or replace real estate, vehicles, merchandise, equipment, or other items.

Follow Ryan Marshall on Twitter: @RMarshallFNP.

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