The majority of these funds will be directed toward restoring key routes in North Carolina and Tennessee. Specifically, the North Carolina Department of Transportation is set to receive $250 million, while $70 million has been allocated to the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

Other federal agencies will also benefit from this funding to improve access across affected areas. The National Park Service is slated to receive $25 million to repair stretches of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service is allocated $7.6 million for ensuring safe travel through roads in national forests affected by the storm.

“Hurricane Helene devastated communities and cut off critical road infrastructure, and our Department is committed to helping repair and rebuild local infrastructure in order to support the impacted area’s long-term recovery,” highlighted U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “The emergency relief funding we’re announcing today will continue this important work and provide vital aid to the communities and states that have been impacted by this disaster.”

Travel throughout western North Carolina and Tennessee continues to face significant challenges. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, as of January 14, travel remains restricted in many areas. Truck vehicles exceeding 30 feet in length are prohibited on multiple routes. Furthermore, 185 roadways are completely closed, with 55 of those closures specifically restricting truck access.

The comprehensive effort to restore mobility across the region involves collaboration between key agencies. “The Federal Highway Administration is working closely with Tennessee, North Carolina, the U.S. Forest Service, and the National Park Service to ensure all roads and bridges are operational and made whole again to restore mobility for residents and businesses and support the region’s economy,” shared Acting Federal Highway Deputy Administrator Gloria M. Shepherd. “The funding will go toward restoring major critical routes that the region relies upon for productivity and roads and bridges that support tourism by connecting Americans to the region’s natural resources.”

This release follows an earlier allocation of $167 million for hurricane-related damage in North Carolina and Tennessee. Combined with these latest efforts, the funds aim to repair infrastructure critical to residents, travelers, and local economies. The FHWA estimates that total damages from Hurricane Helene will surpass $4 billion.

Source: Land Line

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Continuing a treasured U.S. Forest Service tradition that spans decades, Lynden Transport has been chosen to handle this prestigious delivery. Established in 1923, the National Park Service has been overseeing the display of the National Christmas Tree near the White House for nearly a century.

Expressing the company’s pride, Lynden Transport President Paul Grimaldi shared on their website, “We are proud that we are again being entrusted with the delivery of the tree and supporting the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Tour.”

This year’s Capitol Christmas Tree, an impressive 80-foot Sitka spruce sourced from Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, promises to be a sight to behold. Once it’s cut, it will be transported by barge to Seattle, courtesy of Lynden Transport’s affiliate, Alaska Marine Lines, as noted by Grimaldi.

Veteran drivers Fred Austin and John Schank will undertake the significant cross-country trek, delivering the majestic tree to the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol. Originating in 1964, the Capitol Christmas Tree tradition was adopted by the Forest Service in 1970, designating it “the People’s Tree.”

John Schank, having previously delivered a 74-foot Lutz spruce from Alaska’s Chugach National Forest in 2015, is no stranger to this honorable task.

Founded in 1906 as Lynden Transfer by 23-year-old Ed Austin, who initially used a horse-drawn wagon to transport goods from a railway depot to local businesses, the company has grown substantially. By 1921, Austin had acquired a truck, expanding services to include delivering eggs and milk to Seattle.

Today, Lynden Transport boasts a network of a dozen companies, efficiently transporting freight via land, sea, and air, with key offices in Anchorage and Seattle.

Source: Transport Topics

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