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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