DURHAM

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins, RMaine, announced Friday that the U.S. Department of Transportation agreed to her request to provide $500,000 in emergency federal highway funding to help repair Route 136 between Auburn and Freeport.

According to the announcement, heavy rain during storms in early June severely damaged Route 136, with much of the damage near Durham.

“Unusually strong storms and downpours this year caused flooding that has posed tremendous challenges to transportation infrastructure all across our state,” said Collins. “This emergency funding will help the Maine Department of Transportation repair Route 136, which was especially hard hit. In addition, I continue to work with officials at FEMA as it assesses the damage to local roads caused by severe storms and flash flooding in late June in areas of eastern and northern Maine, such as Brownville, Milo and Patten. These assessments are critical as we work to determine if there is any federal assistance that might be available to help reduce the burden on the towns and their residents.”

The Maine Department of Transportation estimates that damage to Route 136 will cost at least $2.5 million to repair.

U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud, DMaine, on Friday also praised the U.S. DOT’s decision to provide the emergency repair funding for damage to Route 136.

“This news couldn’t come at a better time for those who travel Route 136 between Auburn and Freeport,” said Michaud, a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. “I’m relieved that DOT has committed these vital resources to help repair some of the serious damages that befell Maine during last month’s storms.”

According to Michaud’s release, repairs are especially necessary in Durham, where the Androscoggin River quickly rose above flood stage.