Cost to rebuild the Katrina-damaged highways: "at least $1.5 billion" [View All]

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Rebuilding Highways to Cost at Least $1.5B

http://www.salon.com/wire/ap/archive.html?wire=D8CDNKN00.html

September 04,2005 | WASHINGTON -- It will cost at least $1.5 billion to rebuild highways in the Gulf Coast region that were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina, Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta said Sunday.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Mineta said that amount would be necessary just to restore Interstate 10 and U.S. 90, two major arteries leading into New Orleans.

Interstate 10 can't be used because the ramps are under water. U.S. 90, a hundred-mile stretch of road that runs along the Gulf Coast between New Orleans and Pascagoula, Miss., was basically destroyed.

Mineta's estimate didn't include the costs of restoring bridges and local roads in and around New Orleans, as well as roads in Mississippi and Alabama that Mineta said were "basically wiped out."