U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced states and territories throughout the nation will benefit from about $1.6 billion in funds to help pay for road and bridge repairs after infrastructure damage caused by weather events in 2011.

"Communities from coast to coast are still recovering from disasters that have affected the roads they use, their homes and businesses," said Secretary LaHood. The funds originate from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program, and will be distributed among 30 states, several territories and federal land management agencies.

Virginia will receive a total of more than $19 million. Most of that amount is earmarked to repair damages from Hurricane Irene, while the rest is for Tropical Storm Lee, according to the announcement.

Repairs should make the damaged roads significantly safer and ease traffic on alternate routes as they return to service, improving safety and convenience simultaneously. Natural disasters caused significant damage during 2011, which may push property insurance costs higher. Whether this will extend to auto insurance rates is unclear.