Emergency Relief Program 

The Emergency Relief (ER) Program, administered by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), provides funding support for repairs on federal-aid eligible routes that sustain damage from natural disasters or catastrophic events. This program is backed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and is governed by the FHWA Emergency Relief Manual, which outlines the criteria and procedures for seeking reimbursement for repair efforts. The primary objective of the ER Program is to restore essential traffic service and prevent further damage to federal-aid highway infrastructure. This includes routes such as arterial roads, urban collectors, and major rural collectors. Federal-aid routes classified as local roads or rural minor collectors are excluded from eligibility. Funding is triggered following an official disaster proclamation from either the Governor or the President and is contingent upon a minimum total damage threshold of $700,000 statewide. Each individual repair site must show a minimum of $5,000 in estimated damage to qualify. Eligible entities are public agencies that manage federal-aid highways. These entities can begin emergency repairs immediately to reopen roads and prevent further damage, with eligible costs reimbursed later. Emergency repairs made within 180 days of the disaster may be reimbursed at 100 percent of costs. Permanent restoration work, not performed during the emergency phase, is reimbursed at 80 percent and must adhere to federal-aid highway project standards. Betterments to improve resilience may be allowed but must be discussed on a case-by-case basis. Application for ER funding begins after damage assessment and includes submission of detailed site information such as GPS locations, photos, cost estimates, and maps. Each site must be documented individually and supported with records like timesheets, equipment logs, and receipts. KDOT coordinates with Local Public Agencies (LPAs) to compile a list of eligible sites, and a summary spreadsheet of expenses must accompany submissions. ER funds differ from FEMA funds in scope and applicability. While FEMA may cover debris removal, ER funds cover the repair and reconstruction of federal-aid highways and cannot overlap with FEMA-funded debris removal. Traffic damage on RS routes serving as official detours may be eligible for ER coverage. Replacement of gravel shoulders is assessed case by case based on extent and cost. For more details or to initiate an application, eligible parties should contact Hugh Bogle at (785) 207-8052. No specific application open or close dates are provided, as this program is activated in response to qualifying disaster declarations.

Document all work from the start; separate files for each site; review FHWA ER Manual.