Monterey County to get $1.6M federal grant for Palo Colorado repair reimbursement

MONTEREY – A federal grant totaling more than $1.6 million was awarded to Monterey County for reimbursement of Palo Colorado road repairs caused by severe winter storms that took place in February 2017.

Representative Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, who helped get the funds, announced that the United States Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency awarded the grant totaling $1,663,670.25 to pay back the county for its work.

"When this road was completely washed out, our local crews got to work. The repairs made last year got the road back into shape for the many people who rely on it to safely travel to work and school," said Rep. Panetta, in a press release. "I am proud to have helped secure this FEMA grant that will reimburse the county for roadway repairs made to Palo Colorado. I will continue to engage with FEMA officials to ensure not only that our communities have the financing they need for storm repairs but that we make federal investments in resilient infrastructure so that they are protected against future storms."

According to Sarah Davey Wolman, Rep. Panetta spokeswoman, the grant reimbursed 75% of the total $2,218,227 spent. It is the maximum Monterey County could receive, or any FEMA reimbursement can receive under Section 406 of the Robert T. Stafford Act which authorized the funding.

The work started in June 2018 and closed Palo Colorado Road three miles up from Highway 1 for almost five months, reopening Oct. 31 of last year. The work included the installation of soldier piling walls, resurfacing road surface, slope stabilization, and installing culverts and concrete lags.