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Feds Give $10M to Help Fix Collapsed Interstate

I-85 Fire and bridge collapse in Atlanta
Posted at 1:48 PM, Mar 31, 2017
and last updated 2017-03-31 13:48:00-04

ATLANTA (AP) - Federal transportation officials have awarded $10 million in emergency funds to help repair a collapsed section of Interstate 85 in Atlanta.

A U.S. Department of Transportation news release says Secretary Elaine Chao spoke to Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal on Friday and let him know about the money. The overpass collapsed during the Thursday afternoon rush hour after a massive fire broke out beneath the interstate in an area used to store construction materials.

The agency says the "quick release" funding will be used to restore emergency access and begin the most critical repairs in the next few weeks. The funds for short-term repairs "can make long-term repair work possible in the weeks ahead."

The bridge was built in 1953 and reconstructed in 1985 to accommodate higher traffic volumes.