[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 23, Volume 1]
[Revised as of April 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 23CFR668.103]

[Page 344]
 
                           TITLE 23--HIGHWAYS
 
 CHAPTER I--FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 668--EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM--Table of Contents
 
             Subpart A--Procedures for Federal-Aid Highways
 
Sec. 668.103  Definitions.

    In addition to others contained in 23 U.S.C. 101(a), the following 
definitions shall apply as used in this regulation:
    Applicant. The State highway agency is the applicant for Federal 
assistance under 23 U.S.C. 125 for State highways and local roads and 
streets which are a part of the Federal-aid highways.
    Betterments. Added protective features, such as rebuilding of 
roadways at a higher elevation or the lengthening of bridges, or changes 
which modify the function or character of a highway facility from what 
existed prior to the disaster or catastrophic failure, such as 
additional lanes or added access control.
    Catastrophic failure. The sudden failure of a major element or 
segment of the highway system due to an external cause. The failure must 
not be primarily attributable to gradual and progressive deterioration 
or lack of proper maintenance. The closure of a facility because of 
imminent danger of collapse is not in itself a sudden failure.
    Emergency repairs. Those repairs including temporary traffic 
operations undertaken during or immediately following the disaster 
occurrence for the purpose of:
    (1) Minimizing the extent of the damage,
    (2) Protecting remaining facilities, or
    (3) Restoring essential traffic.
    External cause. An outside force or phenomenon which is separate 
from the damaged element and not primarily the result of existing 
conditions.
    Heavy maintenance. Work usually done by highway agencies in 
repairing damage normally expected from seasonal and occasionally 
unusual natural conditions or occurrences. It includes work at a site 
required as a direct result of a disaster which can reasonably be 
accommodated by a State or local road authority's maintenance, emergency 
or contingency program.
    Natural disaster. A sudden and unusual natural occurrence, including 
but not limited to intense rainfall, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, 
tidal waves, landslides, volcanoes or earthquakes which cause serious 
damage.
    Proclamation. A declaration of emergency by the Governor of the 
affected State.
    Serious damage. Heavy, major or unusual damage to a highway which 
severely impairs the safety or usefulness of the highway or results in 
road closure. Serious damage must be beyond the scope of heavy 
maintenance.
    State. Any one of the United States, the District of Columbia, 
Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa or Commonwealth 
of the Northern Mariana Islands.

[52 FR 21948, June 10, 1987, as amended at 61 FR 67212, Dec. 20, 1996; 
65 FR 25444, May 2, 2000]

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