Gustav, Ike Cause $222 million in Transportation Damage

State transportation officials estimate hurricanes Gustav and Ike caused $222 million in damage to roads, bridges and other transportation infrastructure.

The state transportation department expects the federal government to pick up most of the tab. So far, the state has collected $5 million in federal road aid for the two storms.

The preliminary tab for damages and costs is $127 million for Hurricane Gustav and $94 million for Hurricane Ike.

That includes: $75 million for debris removal, $68 million for repairs to roads and bridges, $20 million to repair drawbridges and $6.5 million in traffic signal damage repairs. Another $27 million was paid by the department for buses to help residents evacuate before the storms.

Source: The Advocate.