Friday, March 01, 2013

Governor issues emergency declaration over US 89 closure due to landslide

This announcement was just released by the Governor's Office i regards to the damage done to US 89 from last week's landslide:



Governor Jan Brewer today issued a Declaration of Emergency in response to the recent collapse of a portion of U.S. Highway 89, near Page, Arizona. The Declaration will assist the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) with seeking reimbursement from the Federal Highway Administration for necessary repairs to the roadway.

            The collapse occurred on February 20, 2013. As a result, ADOT has closed the highway indefinitely northbound and southbound at milepost 526, between Page and U.S. Route 89A. ADOT has already begun preliminary work to repair the damaged section of road, but it is unknown how long the highway will be closed.  [Right, view south along US 89 of damage caused by the landslide. Credit, ADOT]

Until repairs are completed, safe detour routes have been established at U.S. Route 89A, U.S. Route 160 and State Route 98.

            The severity of the road damage and anticipated cost of repairs will require the assistance of the Federal Highway Administration. The Governor’s Declaration of Emergency will assist the State in receiving federal reimbursement for expenses incurred while repairing the roadway.

            With today’s Emergency Declaration, authorized under A.R.S. § 26-303(D), Governor Brewer will:

a.  Declare that a State of Emergency exists in Coconino County due to slope failure and road surface collapse along U.S. Highway 89 effective February 20, 2013, and continuing; and
b.  Direct that the State of Arizona Emergency Response and Recovery Plan be used to direct and control state and other assets and authorize the Director of the Arizona Division of Emergency Management to coordinate state assets; and
c. Direct the Arizona Department of Transportation to coordinate with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and request assistance under FHWA’s Emergency Relief Program.

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