KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg concluded his tour of Helene-affected areas in western North Carolina and East Tennessee by visiting a damaged area of I-40 in Cocke County.
Buttigieg said the federal government is committed to helping East Tennessee Helene-related problems big and small.
"Everything we can offer, by way of funding, by technical assistance and by way of any regulatory relief that is needed to speed that process up," Buttigieg said. "That's what the $32 million is for, that's the beginning, not the end, of our emergency relief funding for this process."
Buttigieg said he would look to Congress to step up and approve additional funds for long-term projects.
"We know that the ultimate price tag, just on the transportation side alone, will be in the billions," he said.
He said the federal government is collaborating with the state government to funnel resources towards community-specific projects. Helene's partial-or-complete destruction of bridges and roads across East Tennessee has left deep scars. But in the long run, it might have also provided an opportunity for change.
"They're assessing things like whether there's redundancy, or whether the route that's been compromised is the only one," Buttigieg said.
Still, East Tennessee's immediate needs can't be ignored.
"One of the things I'm trying to reconcile in my head is the shocking devastation alongside the incredible natural beauty of this region," he said.
Buttigieg deferred to TDOT officials for any updates about the limited two-way reopening of I-40 East in Tennessee.
Butch Eley, Tennessee's transportation commissioner, did not provide a hard date but said the reopening is expected in the coming weeks.
Editor's Note: This story has been corrected to reflect Butch Eley currently serves as Commissioner of Transportation instead of Clay Bright, Tennessee's former transportation commissioner.