Bridging the gaps

State provides grants for private roads, bridges

  • File photo. After months of requests from residents and local leaders, North Carolina has begun a program to help repair private roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).
    File photo. After months of requests from residents and local leaders, North Carolina has begun a program to help repair private roads and bridges damaged by Hurricane Helene (downgraded to a tropical storm after slowing down over land).

    The State of North Carolina will be offering disaster assistance through its new Private Road and Bridge Program, according to Mitchell County.

    The new program will assist property owners in Mitchell County with repairs from damages from Tropical Storm Helene.

     

    Getting started with the program

    Property owners who want to apply for the repair program should visit the PRB website at ncdps.gov/Helene/PRB and fill out the NC PRB Interest Form which is located under the How to Get Started section.

    If the resident qualifies, the state will work with Mitchell County, engineers, contractors, FEMA and volunteer groups to repair or replace storm damaged private bridges or roads.

    The qualifications for the program are similar to those required for FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) programs in that the bridge or road must provide access to the person‘s primary residence.

    If the bridge or road is to a gated community or development with a property owner’s association, then certain qualifications must be met and the home owners’ association will be required pay a share towards the bridge project.

    Additionally, the program will not reimburse for already completed repairs or replacements.

    The deadline to apply for this program is Aug. 3. If the property owner is unable to apply online, then they may call the NC Disaster Management toll free number at (844) 746-2326 for assistance.

    Officials note that owing to the scale and amount of damage in western North Carolina that they are unable to provide individual status updates or timelines for repair.