Ten bridges in Cameron Parish that were damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Rita will be repaired with funds provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., said on Monday that $1.7 million in disaster recovery grants would go toward repairing timber bridges in the parish.

Scott Henry, chairman of the parish’s Drainage District 3, said he hadn’t yet received the official response from FEMA about the grant.

But he said the funding is very much needed in Cameron Parish.

The bridges span a drainage canal that is eight miles long, he said.

“This is great. It’s good to hear the good news,” Henry said. “These bridges will help smaller landowners in accessing their property again.”

Cameron Parish expects to complete construction by August 2013, according to the FEMA grant announcement.

“The devastation caused by Hurricane Rita severely disrupted the lives of residents in Cameron Parish,” Landrieu said in a news release.

“Today’s necessary funds will help local business and transportation, allowing the area to continue to rebuild and recover. I am proud of this community’s resilience and know that the return of these bridges is an important boost,” the release said.

Being replaced or repaired are the Airport, Second, Scott, Ms. Sturlese, Mudd, Sells, Stanley Abrahamson, Alvin Ray Mudd, Russel Nunez and the Floyd Baccigalopi bridges.

(American Press Archives)

shawn martin