Letter to the Hon. Stephanie Pollack, Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration - Congressman Panetta Calls for Emergency Federal Funding Following January Storm Damage to Nacimiento-Fergusson Road

Letter

Dear Administrator Pollack,

I write to request your full and fair consideration of accelerated Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) funding through the Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program to support critical repairs of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road in the Monterey District of the Los Padres National Forest (LPNF).

Earlier this year, an atmospheric river stalled over burn scars on the central coast of California, resulting in significant damage to Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and adjacent roadways, including a massive slip out of Highway 1 at Rat Creek.

As FHWA assesses the request and need for ERFO funding, I want to elevate the importance of continued repair and resiliency of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road. With the large-scale damage at Rat Creek, effectively closing Highway 1 for the foreseeable future, Nacimiento-Fergusson Road has become a critical access throughway for residents, first responders, and small businesses on the South Coast of Big Sur. The road requires both major repairs to existing slips and immediate culvert clearance and rehabilitation to ensure that it remains intact in the anticipated event of additional rainfall. Engineers report that between 50 and 60 percent of Nacimiento-Fergusson Road is in danger of major damage if no preventive action is taken.

I appreciate your timely consideration of this request that impacts not only Nacimiento-Fergusson Road as a federal transportation asset, but also surrounding residents and emergency response personnel who depend on the road to connect to the broader community.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office should you have any questions about Nacimiento-Fergusson Road and my support of ERFO funding to ensure its continued function.

Sincerely,

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