Gulf Coast states still rebuilding after last year’s devastating hurricanes will share $868 million in federal funding for road and bridge projects, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta said Monday, Jan. 23.

According to a press release, Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Florida will use the money to repair or rebuild federally supported highways and bridges damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Of the money released, Mississippi will receive $740 million, Louisiana $75 million, Florida $42 million and Texas $11 million for repairs based on formal requests already received from the states. Additional funding is likely to be received once the states issue final requests for aid, Mineta added.

“This money gives states the confidence of knowing we are with them,” Mineta said.

The funding was included in a $2.75 billion emergency relief package requested by President Bush and approved by Congress late last year. Earlier, the Department sent $25 million each to Louisiana and Mississippi, allowing them to begin repairs while they waited for Congressional action on a more comprehensive transportation-funding package.