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Amata Welcomes $2.8 Million DOT Cyclone Gita Grant for American Samoa

February 6, 2019

Washington, D.C. – Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata welcomed a federal Department of Transportation grant of about $2.8 million for road rehabilitation because of Cyclone Gita.

"I'm pleased to announce more federal funds for our Territory's efforts to rebuild and have a full recovery from Storm Gita," said Aumua Amata. "This grant will benefit our Territory, and help pay for the efforts to put storm-damaged roads in good shape."

This discretionary grant of $2,780,947 is through the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), led by Secretary Elaine Chao, and designated for the American Samoa Department of Public Works. The DOT made the decision to prioritize these funds because of Cyclone Gita's significant impact on American Samoa, which caused landslides/rockfalls, scoured roadway shoulders and a culvert inlet, and inflicted roadway pavement damage throughout Tutuila.

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Congresswoman Amata with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao

Congresswoman Amata with Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao

"I so appreciate my friend, Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao, for this support for American Samoa," continued Congresswoman Amata. "I want to express appreciation to everyone at the Department of Public Works, especially Director Faleosina Voigt."

"Thank you most of all to the many who will work directly on these projects to help put our Territory's roads and infrastructure in better condition," concluded Amata.

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