The rebuild of the Easterly Bridge on Poplar Springs Road has moved a step closer to reality.
EMA Director Heather Sipe told Budget and Finance Committee members Wednesday Mayor Morrison has signed the Rapid Project contract through FEMA. The county will get the reimbursement money ahead of the project being completed vs waiting for reimbursement. This allows the funds to be used to rebuild this 6.2 million dollar bridge with some of the state and federal money the county would be receiving instead of interrupting the County cash flow.
Through the FEMA Public Assistance program, work to be completed includes architectural and engineering design services that use best construction practices and applicable codes and standards.
FEMA’s share for this project is $4,656,288; the nonfederal share is $1,552,096.
The cost estimate was generated using FEMA’s Rapid Assessment with Public Infrastructure Data, which uses geospatial and aerial imagery as well as available Federal Highway Administration and State Department of Transportation data. The scope of work will be updated when the method of repair, surveys and assessments are completed. Property insurance coverage for road, road rights-of-way, embankment erosion, bridges or culvert damage represented on this project are not insured or insurable.
Because Public Assistance is a cost-sharing program, FEMA reimburses state applicants 75% of the eligible costs of repairs to existing structures. The federal share is paid directly to the state to disburse to agencies, local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations that incurred those costs. The remaining 25% represents nonfederal funds.
The Public Assistance program is FEMA’s largest grant program, providing funding to help communities responding to and recovering from major presidentially declared disasters or emergencies. Tropical Storm Helene swept across Tennessee Sept. 26-30, and the president approved a major disaster declaration on Oct. 2.
For the latest information about Tennessee’s recovery, visit tn.gov/tema or fema.gov/helene/tennessee. Follow @FEMARegion4 on X or follow FEMA on social media at: FEMA Blog on fema.gov; @FEMA or @FEMAEspanol on X; FEMA or FEMA Espanol on Facebook; @FEMA on Instagram; and via FEMA YouTube channel.
