Tester Secures Nearly $12 Million to Repair Roads in Western Montana Following Historic 2022 Flooding

Funding comes from the Senator’s bipartisan infrastructure law

Following devastating spring flooding in 2022, U.S. Senator Jon Tester today secured $11,981,920 to repair roads and bridges in Western Montana. This funding comes both as a direct result of his bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), as well as through the appropriations process.

Tester worked with five Republicans and four Democrats to negotiate the IIJA and was the only member of Montana’s Congressional delegation to vote for the bill. As a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Tester also secured these funds through the 2023 government funding bill. He was the only member of the Montana delegation to support the legislation.

“The historic flooding that occurred in spring 2022 hit communities across Montana hard, taking a toll on farmers, ranchers, families, and infrastructure across Western Montana—and when our roads and bridges are deficient, our communities and our economy pay a price,” said Tester. “This funding is going to go a long way to repair those damages and help make these communities whole, and I’m proud that it’s coming from my bipartisan infrastructure law.” 

The funding will be used to make repairs to infrastructure affected by road section loss, bridge losses and damages, road embankment loss, road surfacing loss, and culvert damages, and was awarded to the Forest Service in Western Montana.

Tester has consistently fought to ensure that rural communities affected by the flooding have the resources they need to get back on their feet. In July 2022, Tester and his fellow members of the Montana delegation secured assurance from USFS that guides, outfitters, and small businesses would receive support and flexibility in finding alternative options to operate on public lands. And in June 2022, Tester and his colleagues successfully urged the Federal Highway Administration to take immediate action and provide much needed funding through the FWHA Emergency Relief Program to areas affected by flooding resulting in $3 million in funding for Montana roads and highways. They also sent a letter to President Biden, which led to the approval of a major disaster declaration and activation of critical FEMA public assistance and support for recovery efforts.

A full list of the nearly $1 billion in federal aid Tester secured to help communities recover from the flooding can be found HERE.