Minnesota Department of Transportation

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State Aid for Local Transportation

E-Scene March 2024

flowers in meadow

State Aid Emergency Relief refresher

By: Chris Nobach, Assistant Project Development Engineer

Spring flooding season is around the corner and State Aid is here to help. When disaster strikes, these are the potential funding sources based off the type of damage, roadway classification, disaster proclamations, and monetary value of the damage. Current Emergency Relief (ER) funding sources are as follows:

Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief (FHWA ER) Funding

FHWA ER funds can be used to repair roads, bridges, culverts, and other roadway appurtenances damaged by natural disasters or catastrophic events. Eligible roadways need to be classified as Major Collectors, or above, which includes Urban Minor Collectors. Reimbursement under this program varies from 80%-100% based on the type of repair to the damaged section. Individual sites need to have at least $5,000 worth of damage to qualify. Statewide damage must be greater than $700,000 of federal reimbursement on FHWA eligible facilities to have a qualifying event. Finally, the site location must be present in a Governor’s Emergency Proclamation or a Presidential Disaster Declaration to be deemed eligible for reimbursement and the FHWA must concur with the prior assessments.

YouTube training: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9XYNypvoLo

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Funding

FEMA funding is overseen by Homeland Security and Emergency Management within the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Funding under this account is typically used on minor roadways that do not meet the FHWA’s reimbursement criteria, debris cleanup, and other non-road related event damages. More information can be found by contacting a County Emergency Manager. Requires a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

State Aid Disaster Account

To qualify for this account, damage needs to occur on a County State Aid Highway (CSAH) or a Municipal State Aid Street (MSAS) and needs to be greater than 10 precent of the Local Public Agency’s (LPA) total annual state aid allotment to be eligible. Funding under this account is intended to supplement all other federal and state funding sources on this list – meaning, if ineligible for other funding sources on this list, eligibility for the State Aid Disaster Account may be appropriate. Any unused funds shall be returned to State Aid. If other state or federal funds are awarded after reimbursement from this account, the amount equal to that state/federal aid shall be returned to State Aid.

State Disaster Funding under Chapter 12B / Local Disaster Support Account

This funding is intended to help cover the costs of the 20 percent local match portion of the FHWA ER Program that the LPA is responsible for per the statute and appropriation language below.

Disaster Bonds

Another resource for disaster reimbursement is the legislative bonding process. If ineligible for other reimbursement options listed here, this is another potentially viable solution.

SALT ER Program Resources

Reminder – If you find yourself in a situation where you think you may be eligible for disaster reimbursement, contact Chris Nobach at christopher.nobach@state.mn.us or 651-366-3824, and your District State Aid Engineer. Before doing any work - document your eligibility, take site photos, and begin prepping damage estimates. Please note that you could hinder your reimbursement eligibility efforts if you start work before coordinating with all the proper parties and understand the program rules (for example, follow NEPA procedures). Also, be sure to coordinate with your County Emergency Manager on FEMA Disaster eligibility.

We are here to help – stay safe out there!