Title 23HighwaysRelease 119-73

§170 Funding flexibility for transportation emergencies

Title 23 › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS › § 170

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

States may use up to 100 percent of covered funds to repair or replace a transportation facility that was seriously damaged by a natural disaster or by a catastrophic external failure. The money can be used only after the President declares a disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). If a later supplemental appropriation pays for the repairs, the State must repay the program the funds came from. Covered funds — amounts apportioned to a State under section 104(b), excluding amounts suballocated under section 133(d), but including required set‑asides. Transportation facility — any facility eligible for assistance under section 125.

Full Legal Text

Title 23, §170

Highways — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Notwithstanding any other provision of law, a State may use up to 100 percent of any covered funds of the State to repair or replace a transportation facility that has suffered serious damage as a result of a natural disaster or catastrophic failure from an external cause.
(b)Funds may be used under this section only for a disaster or emergency declared by the President pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.).
(c)Funds used under subsection (a) shall be repaid to the program from which the funds were taken in the event that such repairs or replacement are subsequently covered by a supplemental appropriation of funds.
(d)In this section, the following definitions apply:
(1)The term “covered funds” means any amounts apportioned to a State under section 104(b), other than amounts suballocated to metropolitan areas and other areas of the State under section 133(d), but including any such amounts required to be set aside for a purpose other than the repair or replacement of a transportation facility under this section.
(2)The term “transportation facility” means any facility eligible for assistance under section 125.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, referred to in subsec. (b), is Pub. L. 93–288, May 22, 1974, 88 Stat. 143, which is classified principally to chapter 68 (§ 5121 et seq.) of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 5121 of Title 42 and Tables.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective Oct. 1, 2012, see section 3(a) of Pub. L. 112–141, set out as an Effective and Termination Dates of 2012 Amendment note under section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

23 U.S.C. § 170

Title 23Highways

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73