Editor’s note: This post was originally published on the Fast Lane, the official blog of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Despite the arrival of another storm last night, hurricane recovery efforts continue throughout the Northeast. For DOT, this means working with state and local officials to help commuters get where they need to go and ensure families have access to housing and other resources they need.
For example, our Federal Highway Administration is working with our Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHTO) to speed up permitting for carriers moving temporary mobile housing units from Maryland and Alabama to New Jersey.
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Transporting temporary housing (Photo credit: U.S. Department of Transportation)
Under normal circumstances, carriers have to work with states to get permits from each state they travel through. In this instance, FHWA is coordinating with AASHTO to cut through some of the red tape and get all necessary permits at the same time. In addition, FHWA is also working with states to allow nighttime moves, which aren’t normally allowed.
This partnership will help people move into badly needed temporary housing even faster.
Working with the Department of Homeland Security, our Maritime Administration has provided FEMA with several nearby ships to provide lodging, food, and power for emergency response teams who have traveled to New York.
