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Highway Program

Highway Infrastructure Investment

Agency: Federal Highway Administration

Description: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is uniquely positioned to administer the Highway Infrastructure Investment portion of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Recovery Act); in particular, the goal to “invest in transportation, environmental protection, and other infrastructure that will provide longer term economic benefits” to the Nation. As public stewards of the Federal Highway Program, the FHWA currently provides technical assistance and funding to States and Metropolitan Planning Organizations for the development, operation, and maintenance of the national system of highways and roads. In addition, the FHWA provides funds and oversight to improve the transportation system serving Federal and tribal lands. The Recovery Act funds will augment current investments, authorized by SAFETEA-LU, from the Highway Trust Fund and enable states, regional and local governments to accelerate to completion a number of highway infrastructure projects planned or now underway.

Benefits to Public: In addition to preserving and creating jobs in the near term, the Recovery Act will fund Highway Infrastructure projects with longer-term societal and economic benefits. The Federal (Federal-Aid and Federal Land) Highway Program addresses a number of societal concerns such as increased demand for system capacity to meet the expanding movement of goods and people, maintaining an aging infrastructure, the continuing need to improve highway safety and security, and the costly burden of traffic congestion. Most of the Recovery Act project funds are being used to maintain and improve pavement condition, which should reduce wear and tear on vehicles and lower operating costs for drivers. The Federal Highway program also ensures a connected system of roads that serve interstate, regional, and national needs. No other Federal program addresses this purpose. In addition, the Federal Lands Highway program provides for the management and oversight of roads on public lands and Indian reservations.

Beneficiaries: Citizens

Who Select the Projects: State, Region/MPO/District, Local Gov.

Read program details in its entirety.