Obama administration directs post-Sandy transportation assistance to NY, RI

By Keith Laing - 10/31/12 10:56 AM ET

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said Wednesday that his department is providing $13 million to states affected by Hurricane Sandy to help restore transportation systems disrupted by the storm.

LaHood said the money is going to New York and Rhode Island, which he said were the first states to ask DOT for help after Sandy.

"President Obama has directed us to immediately help restore vital transportation infrastructure following this unprecedented and devastating storm — and that’s exactly what we’re doing," LaHood said in a blog post on the Transportation Department's website.

LaHood said $10 million of the money will go to New York, where transportation officials said the city's subway system has never faced a challenge greater than Sandy in 108 years of operations. The remaining $3 million will go to Rhode Island.

LaHood said the money was "just a down payment on our commitment to all of the states affected by Sandy." He added that "we expect other states to apply for additional emergency relief funding in the coming days."

"All of these actions are just the beginning of our efforts to help those affected by Sandy," LaHood said. "This storm has been heartbreaking for many, and — in addition to sending our hopes, prayers and sympathy to those enduring the storm's devastation — we're taking every step we can to make sure our assistance gets where it's needed as quickly as possible."