WASHINGTON, D.C. --- The federal government is making $5 million available immediately to begin funding work to repair roads, bridges and airports damaged by Hurricane Ike, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Mary E. Peters announced during a recent visit to the Houston region.

She added that more funds will be made available for repair and reconstruction work once damages assessed for the region's transportation network have been completed.

"These funds are a down payment on our commitment to the people of this region," said Peters. "We will help reopen the roads so people can get back to their homes, and back to their lives, as quickly as possible."

Peters said that the Federal Highway Administration was providing $2 million in quick release emergency highway funding for road and bridge work in Texas, and another $2 million in emergency highway funding for Louisiana. She noted that the money would be immediately available to reimburse road crews for the costs of clearing debris, rerouting traffic and making initial repairs.

She also committed to helping provide the resources needed to Texas and Louisiana to support the states' efforts to complete damage assessments for the region's highways network. Once those assessments are completed, Peters added, then both states would be eligible for additional emergency highway funds.