Greenwich Time (Sunday)

State gets $5 million for road repairs following earthquake

-

The federal transporta­tion department is releasing $5 million in emergency relief funds to help road and bridge repairs in Alaska following Friday's magnitude 7.0 earthquake.

The Federal Highway Commission released the funds Saturday after it said it received a request from Alaska Gov. Bill Walker and the state transporta­tion commission­er, Marc Luiken.

The Glenn Highway received damage in several areas north of Anchorage. The Seward Highway south of Anchorage has seen several rock slides from the quake and aftershock­s. An on-ramp to a major Anchorage roadway also was damaged.

The $5 million is essentiall­y seen as a down-payment to help fund shortterm repairs while assessment­s for long-term repairs are made.

At one time, power was out to nearly 50,000 residents because of the quake. But Anchorage Municipal Manager Bill Falsey said at a news conference Saturday that power has been restored to all but about a dozen residents.

The gas company is investigat­ing about 650 reports of leaks, a number that has risen Saturday as people return to office buildings to check on damage.

Police said there was no looting in the aftermath of the quake. And fire officials warned people to be careful as high winds expected later Saturday could send unsecured debris flying.

Strong aftershock­s continued Saturday around Anchorage, jolting people awake and pummeling already frayed nerves.

The U.S. Geological Survey says there have been 545 aftershock­s, including a 5.7 magnitude shaker that followed Friday's big quake almost immediatel­y.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States