Federal Highway 

Administration

An Overview for our Stakeholders

 2023

Photo Credit: © [Patrick Foto] / Adobe Stock
From the FHWA Administrator

Thank you for your leadership at this critical time in transportation. All of us in the 

transportation industry are linked by a passion for the tunnels, bridges, and roadways that 

traverse every state in our union and on which millions of people rely. Roads have linked the 

United States since before we were the United States. Having served as a leader in three state 

departments of transportation, I am uniquely aware of the important roles your agencies play for 

the United States. Our highways serve as the circulatory system of our nation, allowing people 

and products to travel throughout our great country. When built and managed well, they also 

support safe, equitable transportation.

I have returned to the U.S. Department of Transportation as the 21st Administrator of the Federal 

Highway Administration (FHWA). I am honored to be here during this historic time. President 

Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are unprecedented 

investments in infrastructure that will allow FHWA to help our partners build a 21st Century 

transportation system. To complement these efforts, we will continue to deliver world-class 

highway programs that strengthen the U.S. economy while advancing safe, efficient, equitable, 

and sustainable mobility choices for all.

For much of my time in transportation, the conversation often started with “if only we had the 

ability to invest in our transportation system.” The $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law 

allows us to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. It provided $350 billion in highwayprogram funding and created approximately one dozen new highway programs that FHWA 

is administering, including formula programs focused on resilience, carbon reduction, bridge 

improvements, and electric-vehicle charging infrastructure. The law also included additional 

competitive funding that will benefit a range of grant recipients focused on safety, bridges, 

electric-vehicle and alternative-fuel charging infrastructure, rural projects, resilience, and 

reconnecting communities.

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law provides funding for new innovations and project-delivery

measures. Specifically, it funds transportation solutions, new transportation-planning tools that can

help identify transportation needs, and transparent, data-driven project-selection tools for states and

planning organizations. It also supports new safety programs and provisions that are helping FHWA

tackle the safety crisis on our roads and highways. Roadway crashes are a serious public health and

safety problem and are among the leading causes of death in the United States. In your roles you

will soon learn about the Every Day Counts initiative that we started back when I last served at the 

USDOT. This initiative takes on a different meaning when applied to the nearly 44,000 deaths that 

occur on our nation’s roadways each year. Currently, traffic crashes take the lives of 117 people 

each day. That is an unimaginable number, and one that we must do our utmost to reduce.

The FHWA is involved with numerous programs and initiatives that are designed to bring us 

closer to our goal of zero injuries and zero deaths on our roads. For example, the FHWA is at the 

forefront of implementing the USDOT’s National Roadway Safety Strategy, which is a 

comprehensive approach to reducing serious injuries and deaths on U.S. roadways. The FHWA 

also supports the USDOT’s Safe Streets and Roads for All grant program, which provides 

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communities with up to $1 billion each year to plan and build road projects that will prevent 

serious injuries and save lives. Further, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law increased funding for 

the Highway Safety Improvement Program by 34 percent, which will allow FHWA to provide 

critical safety funding that states can use to make roads safer for all road users. Finally, the 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes several provisions to improve safety for cyclists and 

pedestrians, including a new requirement for states to assess the safety of vulnerable road users, 

which is accompanied, in many states, by additional funds to help states act on their assessments. 

The Inflation Reduction Act, which President Biden signed in Fall 2022, unlocked even more 

opportunities for FHWA to enhance and modernize our highways, improve safety, and reconnect 

neighborhoods that were previously divided by transportation infrastructure. The Inflation 

Reduction Act provides approximately $4 billion through Fiscal Year 2026 for programs that are 

designed to improve neighborhood access and equity, provide technical assistance and funding 

during the environmental-review process, and incentivize or reimburse eligible organizations that 

use low-carbon transportation materials in their projects. 

The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act are forward-looking pieces of 

legislation, and we must approach this once-in-a-generation funding bearing in mind the lessons of 

the past. In the past, highways were built with a narrow vision of the stakeholders who deserve a 

seat at the table. Legacy highways divided neighborhoods, roads were planned without consideration 

for cyclists or pedestrians, and little thought was given to climate change or equity. Now, all that is 

beginning to change. While we have a long way to go, we now have the funding to help ensure that 

transportation is not only equitable, but safer, more resilient, and more affordable for all. 

Moving forward, we must combat the climate crisis, choose greener materials when paving or 

repaving roads, restructure roads to reduce congestion, support zero-emission vehicles, and 

provide equitable transportation options and access. We must also ensure that safety always 

remains our number-one priority. My core aspiration is that we will one day achieve our goal of 

zero deaths on U.S. roadways, and we must do everything in our power to realize that dream.

Our transportation system was a key factor in our nation’s success in the 20th Century. With 

the massive investments that have recently taken place, it will be our responsibility to build 

the infrastructure for the 21st Century that will allow the United States to remain a beacon for 

the rest of the world. By harnessing American traits of hard work and ingenuity, along with 

technology that our predecessors could only dream about, we can achieve our elusive goal of a 

fatality free system, deliver projects more efficiently, combat the existential climate threat, and 

build a transportation system that benefits all Americans.

I look forward to partnering with you to achieve these worthy goals.

Shailen Bhatt 

FHWA Administrator

iii Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
From the FHWA Executive Director

For nearly 6 decades, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has played a central role in 

building the United States’ highway network. Every day, U.S. roadways serve more than 220 

million drivers, passengers, pedestrians, cyclists, and other road users on more than 850 million 

trips, all while supporting our robust economy. Thanks to a team of more than 2,700 dedicated 

transportation professionals in 6 time zones, the FHWA is able to support local, state, and Tribal 

governments through cutting-edge research, transportation training, and grants that fund the 

highways, bridges, and tunnels of the future. 

Vehicles travelled more than 3 trillion miles on U.S. roads in 2021, and the amount of highway 

travel will likely continue to increase moving forward. We at the FHWA are committed 

to ensuring that the U.S. transportation system is equipped to handle the challenges and 

opportunities ahead, including those posed by transportation equity, environmental justice, 

climate change, economic development, novel technologies, and electric and autonomous 

vehicles. We are particularly excited to help cities, states, and Tribes build a national network of 

chargers for electric vehicles, which we believe will become one of the primary modes of U.S. 

transportation in the near future. 

Thanks to the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, FHWA is responsible for more than 

$350 billion in highway-infrastructure funding that we can use to support safety, bridges, 

resilience, project delivery, electric-vehicle infrastructure, efforts to combat climate change, 

and numerous other transportation projects. Because of this law, more direct formula funding 

is available to State Departments of Transportation, and new stakeholders are eligible for 

competitive grant program funding from FHWA. For example, the law will provide states with 

access to $5 billion in both formula funding and Mega Grant funding over 5 years. This capital 

will help create well-paid jobs, grow the economy, strengthen supply chains, fund electricvehicle infrastructure, improve mobility for residents, and make our transportation systems safer 

for all users.

Building and maintaining a strong, efficient transportation system is important; but, as always, 

safety remains our top priority. The FHWA works tirelessly to ensure the safety of all users on 

our roadways—including users who are not in vehicles. To this end, the FHWA is working hard 

to facilitate the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s support for Complete Streets planning at multiple 

levels of local government. The purpose of Complete Streets planning is to ensure that all road 

users—including historically marginalized and underserved users—have safe and equitable 

access to transportation. Complete Streets planning is also focused on reducing greenhouse-gas 

emissions and accommodating alternative travel choices, such as walking and cycling.

People often ask about the recipe for FHWA’s success. No one thing makes us what we are; 

rather, like any good recipe, it is a mix of several essential ingredients. First, the dedication of 

all the talented people here at FHWA allows us to not only fulfill our mission, but reach new 

horizons. Second, funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law will allow us to expand the 

reach and impact of our grant programs while welcoming new stakeholders to the table. Finally, 

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our partnerships with cities, states, and Tribes allow us to address the transportation needs of the 

here and now, all while planning and building a transportation system that will carry us into the 

next century...and beyond. 

If you think of success as a recipe, I guess you could say that the proof is in the pudding. The 

FHWA is providing more funding and partnering with stakeholders more effectively than 

ever before. Transportation is our business, safety our mission, and connection our goal. The 

importance of public infrastructure cannot be overstated; after all, highways, bridges, and tunnels 

are vital for both road users and national defense. In this new era of global conflict, we need to 

ensure that the U.S. infrastructure that ensured our success throughout the 20th Century remains 

an asset—and that people from around the world still view it as such. It is equally important that 

our infrastructure serves as a way to help people claim their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit 

of happiness, all while travelling on some of the safest, greenest roadways in the world.

We at the FHWA have always helped keep the United States moving, and we don’t plan on 

stopping now. I hope you find this FHWA overview to be a helpful introduction to the agency.

To learn more about our many initiatives, please reference the back of this resource for website 

and contact information. In the meantime, we invite you to enjoy the U.S. highway system, and 

to drive safely.

Gloria M. Shepherd

FHWA Executive Director

Photo Credit: RoschetzkyIstockPhoto/iStock via Getty Images

v Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Shailen Bhatt, Administrator

On January 13, 2023, Shailen Bhatt was sworn in by 

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg as the 21st 

Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA). Bhatt was confirmed unanimously by voice vote 

in the U.S. Senate on December 8, 2022. He is the first 

person of Indian descent to lead FHWA.

In this role he oversees over 2,700 FHWA employees in all 

50 States, U.S. Territories, and the District of Columbia, 

and provides executive leadership on strategic initiatives 

and policy, including administering more than $350 billion 

as part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law and its formula and competitive grant programs 

that are available to State departments of transportation, 

metropolitan planning organizations, local governments, 

Tribes, territories, federal land management agencies, and 

other organizations. As Administrator, Bhatt brings a record of successful project and program 

delivery needed in this once-in-a-generation level of infrastructure investment in which the impacts 

of FHWA policy and funding choices will last for generations, and will make people safer, reduce 

the emissions in our air while implementing resilient transportation systems for our changing 

climate, create a fairer transportation system, and strengthen our economy.

Bhatt brings to this role a passion for improving safety and protecting all road users on America’s 

roads, bridges, highways, and other surface transportation infrastructure, including people using 

them for walking and biking. He is also committed to transforming our nation’s infrastructure 

systems to address transportation’s impacts on our global climate, while making them more 

equitable and fair for all.

His distinguished career includes serving in leadership positions in the public and private sectors, 

including the Kentucky, Delaware, and Colorado Departments of Transportation, the Intelligent 

Transportation Society of America, AECOM, and as FHWA’s Associate Administrator for Highway 

Policy and External Affairs in the Obama Administration.

Bhatt graduated summa cum laude from Western Kentucky University with a degree in Economics. 

He considers being a good father and husband to be the most important priority in the world, and 

he and his wife Neelam are the proud parents of two daughters, Saanvi and Nandini. While Bhatt 

is focused on his day job, he keeps his skates sharpened, his stick freshly taped, and stands ready to 

answer the call for any NHL team ready to take a chance on him.

Current FHWA Leadership 

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Gloria M. Shepherd, Executive Director

On October 20, 2022, Gloria M. Shepherd was named 

Executive Director of the Federal Highway Administration 

(FHWA), a role in which she leads the delivery of worldclass highway and street programs that advance safe, 

efficient, equitable, and sustainable mobility choices for all 

while strengthening the Nation’s economy.

Ms. Shepherd is responsible for guiding FHWA as it 

administers more than $350 billion as part of President 

Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. That includes 

formula and competitive grant programs with new funding 

and programs available to a range of grant recipients, 

including state departments of transportation, metropolitan 

planning organizations, local governments, tribes, 

territories, and federal land management agencies.

Ms. Shepherd brings over 23 years of extensive and varied 

experience with FHWA, in which she has produced a track record of success and a proven ability to 

produce results, develop effective national partnerships and coalitions, and open doors through her 

mentorship for future leaders within DOT. She is the first woman and the first African American in 

FHWA’s history to serve as Executive Director.

Prior to this appointment, Ms. Shepherd served as FHWA’s Associate Administrator for Planning, 

Environment, and Realty since 2007. In this position, Ms. Shepherd provided strategic oversight 

and executive leadership to advance national transportation initiatives to accelerate project delivery, 

promote environmental justice and stewardship, and reduce transportation’s carbon footprint on the 

national highway system. In addition, Ms. Shepherd has tirelessly championed agency workforce 

development, awards and recognition programs, and work life balance.

Prior to becoming an Associate Administrator, Ms. Shepherd served for 8 years as the Director, 

Office of Planning where she was the principal advocate for metropolitan and statewide planning 

and programs. Before joining FHWA, she served in executive level positions with the Maryland 

State Highway Administration and the New York Department of Transportation.

Ms. Shepherd earned a Master of Law degree from Georgetown University, Doctor of Jurisprudence 

Degree from Albany Law School, and her Doctor of Arts from the University at Albany (SUNY). 

She is a member of the New York State Bar and enjoys hiking and running.

Current FHWA Leadership 

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Overview

About Federal Highway Administration 

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of 

Transportation (USDOT) that provides national leadership and coordinates highway transportation 

programs in cooperation with States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations, Tribes, Territorial 

governments, Federal land management agencies, and other stakeholders to enhance the quality 

of life of all Americans. With more than half of our 2,700 employees working out of Division 

Offices in every State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, FHWA is well-positioned to 

deliver the Federal-aid Highway Program (FAHP); the Federal Lands and Tribal Transportation 

Program (FLTTP); and the many new programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) to 

an expanded group of direct recipients. 

The FAHP provides Federal financial assistance to construct and improve the National Highway 

System (NHS), the National Highway Freight Network, urban and rural roads, bridges, tunnels, 

ferries, bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, intelligent 

transportation systems, environmental restoration, and other transportation infrastructure. A 

recipient’s primary contact with FHWA is through its FHWA Federal-aid Division Office. With 

the expanded list of eligible recipients under the BIL, the FHWA Division Offices serve as a 

recipient’s primary point of contact. FHWA also provides local technical assistance programs to 

interface with an expanded list of recipients under the BIL.

The FLTTP provides Federal funding to improve multimodal transportation facilities that provide 

access to and within national forests, national parks, other federally owned lands open to the 

public, and Tribal lands. Federal agencies’ and Tribal governments’ primary contacts with FHWA 

are through FHWA’s Headquarters Office of Federal Lands Highway and respective Federal 

Lands Highway Division Offices. 

The FHWA also manages a comprehensive research, development, technology, and innovation 

and technology deployment programs, and provides national leadership in the advancement of 

transportation workforce training and technical assistance within local, Tribal, and Federal land 

management agency transportation networks.

The Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) assists local highway agencies in each State 

to meet the challenge of maintaining and rehabilitating roads and bridges and learn about best 

practices and innovative technology to meet local needs. There are 51 LTAP Centers, one in each 

State and one serving Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The Tribal Technical Assistance Program (TTAP) provides comprehensive transportation 

training and technical assistance to Tribal transportation programs, building skills and expertise 

to ensure the safety and maintenance of multimodal Tribal transportation facilities. 

In addition to Federal staff, FHWA augments its capabilities through a diverse array of contracted 

services, including awards made to Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDBs). The FHWA supported 

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the USDOT’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 SDB socioeconomic goal of 5 percent. The FHWA surpassed 

this goal by awarding 29.6 percent of eligible contract dollars to SDBs. In FY 2022, the USDOT’s 

goal for awards to SDBs was increased 20 percent. FHWA again exceed the goal, awarding 32.6 

percent of eligible dollars to SDBs. FHWA continues to have great success with making awards to 

SDBs and leads the Department in its ability to achieve its small business/socioeconomic goals. 

The interaction and relationship of States, Tribes, and local governments with FHWA varies, based 

on the Federal assistance program and who the recipient is. The table below generally summarizes 

the basic financial and technical assistance programs and how recipients typically work with and 

receive assistance from FHWA. Descriptions of other assistance programs can be found in later 

sections of this document.

WORKING WITH FHWA

RECIPIENT TECHNICAL 

ASSISTANCE

State: State Departments of Transportation (State DOTs) are direct 

recipients for Federal-aid projects; Federal-aid formula funding is allocated 

and distributed by FHWA directly to them.

Federal-aid 

Division Offices

FHWA Resource 

Center

Tribes: FHWA co-administers the Tribal Transportation Program with 

the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), in 

coordination with the USDOT Office of the Secretary, and provides 

stewardship and oversight for direct funding agreements with federally 

recognized Tribes.

Federal Lands 

Highway Division 

Offices

TTAP

Local Government: Local governments are typically subrecipients, but 

are also direct recipients in some new BIL programs; Federal-aid funding 

is allocated and distributed by the State DOT to local governments. State 

DOTs provide oversight of Local Public Agency (LPA) projects and ensure 

local agencies that receive funds and deliver federally funded projects 

comply with Federal and State requirements.

LTAP

Federal-aid 

Division Offices

Other Recipients: Other recipients are typically subrecipients, but are 

also direct recipients in some new BIL programs. Includes special districts 

or public authorities with transportation functions, and other non-State 

local entities.

LTAP

Federal-aid 

Division Offices

The FHWA, in support of the USDOT’s 2022 National Road Safety Strategy, focuses on safety 

as a primary national goal, incorporating a Safe System Strategy within its Complete Streets 

roadway design principles and through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP), which 

strives to make travel safer for all users, including protecting vulnerable road users, such as 

people walking, biking, or using mobility assistive devices, thereby reducing the number of lives 

lost on the Nation’s highways, bridges, and roads.

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About the U.S. Department of Transportation 

In 1966, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the Department of Transportation Act, which 

brought approximately 95,000 employees and 31 previously scattered Federal elements under 

the wing of one Cabinet department, led by a Presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed 

Secretary of Transportation. The initial legislation had five major operating elements within the 

Department: the Federal Aviation Administration; Federal Highway Administration; Federal 

Railroad Administration; Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation; and U.S. Coast 

Guard (now under the Department of Homeland Security). The USDOT now employs almost 

55,000 people across the country working to keep the traveling public safe and secure, increase 

passenger and freight mobility, and ensure the transportation system contributes to the Nation’s 

economic growth. 

Mission and Core Values

U.S. Department of Transportation Mission 

The primary mission of the USDOT is to deliver the world’s leading transportation system, 

serving the American people and economy through the safe, efficient, sustainable, and equitable 

movement of people and goods.

The USDOT accomplishes this mission – guided by its values of excellence, trust, fairness, 

empathy, and imagination – through the six strategic goals in its FY 2022-2026 Strategic Plan:

• Safety

• Economic Strength and Global Competitiveness

• Equity

• Climate and Sustainability

• Transformation

• Organizational Excellence

The USDOT is composed of nine Operating Administrations, Office of Inspector General (OIG), 

and the Office of the Secretary (OST) which together carry out the oversight responsibilities 

for the Nation’s transportation system. The USDOT is responsible for managing the National 

Airspace System, leading investments in roads and bridges, ensuring safety across all modes 

of transportation, and facilitating the movement of people and goods. OST and the Operating 

Administrations each have their own management and organizational structures, and their names 

and roles are summarized below.

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4 Federal Highway Administration 

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USDOT OPERATING ADMINISTRATIONS

USDOT OFFICE OVERVIEW

Office of the Secretary 

(OST)

The OST oversees the formulation of national transportation 

policy and promotes intermodal transportation. The Build America 

Bureau, offering transportation infrastructure financing for public 

agencies, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and 

Technology, are housed within OST, along with the new Joint Office 

of Energy and Transportation created by BIL.

Federal Highway 

Administration (FHWA)

The FHWA coordinates highway transportation programs in 

cooperation with States and other stakeholders to make a positive 

contribution to safety and to the economic and social well-being of 

the public.

National Highway Traffic 

Safety Administration 

(NHTSA)

The NHTSA is responsible for reducing deaths, injuries, and 

economic losses resulting from motor vehicle crashes through 

setting and enforcing safety performance standards for vehicles 

and equipment; conducting research on driver behavior and traffic 

safety; and providing consumers with important safety information.

Federal Aviation 

Administration (FAA)

The FAA oversees the safety of civil aviation. The safety mission 

of FAA includes the issuance and enforcement of regulations and 

standards related to aircraft, pilots, and airports. The FAA also 

allocates the use of airspace for civilian and defense purposes and 

regulates the U.S. commercial space transportation industry.

Pipeline and Hazardous 

Materials Safety 

Administration (PHMSA)

The PHMSA is responsible for developing and enforcing regulations 

and educating the public on the safe operation of pipeline 

transportation.

Federal Motor Carrier 

Safety Administration 

(FMCSA)

The FMCSA’s primary mission is to prevent commercial motor 

vehicle-related fatalities and injuries. The FMCSA accomplishes this 

mission through enforcing safety regulations; improving safety 

information systems, operating standards, and vehicle technologies; 

and increasing safety awareness.

Federal Railroad 

Administration (FRA)

The FRA promotes safe rail transportation through establishing 

and enforcing rail safety standards, conducting safety research, 

administering grant programs, overseeing State rail plans, and 

conducting public education safety campaigns.

Great Lakes Saint 

Lawrence Seaway 

Development 

Corporation (GLS)

The GLS operates and maintains a safe, reliable, and efficient 

waterway for commercial and noncommercial vessels between the 

Great Lakes and the Atlantic Ocean.
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FHWA Mission 

The FHWA’s mission is to deliver world-class highway programs that advance safe, efficient, 

equitable, and sustainable mobility choices for all, while strengthening the Nation’s economy. This 

mission is informed by FHWA’s seven core values: public service, integrity, respect, family and 

work-life balance, collaboration, diversity, and personal development. The FHWA accomplishes 

its mission in conjunction with its core values through a multi-year Strategic Plan in alignment 

with USDOT goals, strategic objectives, program initiatives, and performance measures.

Stakeholders

FHWA accomplishes its work and mission in collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, including 

government agencies at the Federal, State, Tribal, and local levels (e.g., State DOTs, metropolitan 

planning organizations (MPOs), cities, counties, mayors, coalitions, local public agencies, Federal 

land management agencies, Tribal governments, and Territorial governments) and with other 

stakeholders representing associations, academic institutions, foreign transportation ministries and 

organizations, private entities, as well as advocacy groups.

Through staff and subject matter experts located in Headquarters and in every State (including 

Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico), FHWA ensures that communication, collaboration, and 

coordination occurs at all levels possible. 

USDOT OPERATING ADMINISTRATIONS

Federal Transit 

Administration (FTA)

The FTA assists in developing improved public transportation 

systems for cities and communities nationwide through research, 

grant programs, and safety oversight. Through its grant programs, 

FTA helps plan, build, and operate transit systems with convenience, 

cost, and accessibility in mind.

Maritime Administration 

(MARAD)

The MARAD promotes development and maintenance of an 

adequate, well-balanced, United States merchant marine. The 

agency ensures that the U.S. has shipbuilding and repair service, 

efficient ports, effective intermodal water and land transportation 

systems, and reserve shipping capacity in times of national 

emergency. MARAD also oversees grant programs including funds 

for designated waterways in the Marine Highway Program.

Office of Inspector 

General (OIG)

The OIG works within the USDOT to promote effectiveness and 

prevent, or stop, waste, fraud and abuse in departmental programs. 

OIG does this through audits and investigations. OIG also consults 

with Congress about programs in progress and proposed new laws 

and regulations.
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How FHWA Works with State DOTs, 

Tribes, and Local Governments

Although State and local governments own 

and maintain most of the Nation’s highways, 

FHWA provides financial support and 

technical assistance to them for highway 

construction, improvement, inspection, and 

preservation.

The FAHP is a collection of programs 

that provides Federal financial resources 

and technical assistance to State and 

local governments for planning, design, 

constructing, operating, preserving, and 

improving public roads and other surface 

transportation infrastructure. 

The formula programs of the FAHP are 

federally assisted, State-administered 

programs. This Federal-State relationship has 

been a hallmark of the program since the start 

of the FAHP, and States’ primary contact with 

FHWA is through the FHWA Federal-aid 

Division Offices in each State. FHWA’s 

Division Offices provide stewardship, 

guidance, best practices, and technical 

assistance with contributions from FHWA’s 

Headquarters and technical program staff, as 

needed. They also ensure that the overall 

objectives of the FAHP are met and the 

Federal financial resources are distributed in 

accordance with applicable laws and 

regulations. 

Non-State recipients, such as local 

governments and other local agencies, are 

typically subrecipients under the FAHP, and 

receive Federal-aid funding through their 

State DOTs, which in turn provide oversight 

of Local Public Agency (LPA) projects 

and ensure local agencies that receive and 

deliver federally funded projects are aware 

of and comply with Federal and State 

requirements. With new programs and 

flexibilities in BIL, local recipients can also 

be direct recipients, and work with FHWA’s 

Division Offices, Headquarters and local 

technical assistance centers.

Eligibility for Federal-aid Highway 

Program funding is based on the 

functional classification of a road 

(the character of highway service 

the particular roadway provides).

Source: 2018 Highway Statistics; Length of Function System, table HM-15 & Vehicle-Miles of Travel by Federal-aid 

highways, table VM-3 https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policyinformation/statistics/2018/

National Highway System 

– A Well-traveled Road

The National Highway System (NHS), which includes 

the Eisenhower Interstate System, comprises only 5 

percent of the nation’s total road miles but carries 

over HALF of the nation’s traffic each day.
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Under the FLTTP, FHWA works with Tribal governments to administer the Tribal program and 

provide stewardship and oversight for direct funding to federally recognized Tribes for all FHWA 

activities affecting Tribal transportation. Tribes work with FHWA’s Office of Federal Lands 

Highway and respective Federal Lands Highway Division Offices, as well as FHWA’s Tribal 

Technical Assistance Program.

Federal-aid Highway Program and Oversight

There are more than four million miles of public roads in the United States. Approximately one 

million miles of these roads meet the legal definition of “Federal-aid Highways.” This includes the 

National Highway System (NHS) which is a roughly 220,000-mile network of high-volume roads that 

includes the Interstate Highway System (around 47,000 miles). The NHS comprises only 5 percent of 

the Nation’s total road mileage, but carries approximately 55 percent of the Nation’s daily traffic.

Eligibility for FAHP funding is based on the functional classification of a road (the character 

of highway service the particular roadway provides), not the entity that owns it. Federal-aid 

highways include all public roads, apart from those classified as local roads and rural minor 

collectors. As the name suggests, Federal-aid highways are generally eligible for Federal funding 

support — and local roads and rural minor collectors are generally ineligible.

However, a State may use Federal funds on local roads or rural minor collectors to support 

specific projects, such as safety improvements and bridge projects. Most Federal funding is 

for capital projects, and routine maintenance activities (pothole repair, snow removal, etc.) are 

generally not eligible activities under the FAHP. 

In its role, FHWA:

• Provides leadership, stewardship, oversight, and guidance for the FAHP. The 

FHWA’s role in project and program delivery is to ensure compliance with the 

requirements of the FAHP and provide guidance to recipients in the delivery of the 

program. The FHWA develops a Stewardship and Oversight Agreement with each State 

to document where the State can assume Federal approval actions and how FHWA and 

the State will work together using a risk-based approach to stewardship and oversight.

• Provides technical support for the safety, stewardship, and oversight of over 610,000 

highway bridges, more than 500 tunnels, and numerous other structures across the 

country. Under the FAHP, FHWA distributes funding to help transportation agencies 

plan, design, build, repair, rehabilitate, and inspect highways, bridges, tunnels, trails, 

and other surface transportation infrastructure.

• Transfers most project-level approvals to State DOTs. The types of project and 

program approvals that are carried out by the State are specified in FHWA-State 

agreements, such as the Stewardship and Oversight Agreement. The FHWA’s role when it 

has transferred approval authority to the State DOT is to make sure that applicable Federal 

requirements are followed, including appropriate policies and procedures associated with 

the use of Federal funding.
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• Develops and shares standards and best practices for initiating and managing 

projects. This is done in coordination and cooperation with the American Association of 

State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and other stakeholders.

• Advances environmental stewardship and improves quality of life. The FHWA 

provides resources and technical assistance to support equitable, multimodal 

transportation planning and project development that will protect and enhance the natural 

and human environment, the economy, public health, and communities, and bolster the 

resilience of the transportation system to climate change.

• Reimburses States for eligible expenses. The FHWA provides a notice of the 

amount of Federal-aid funding available to the States for each fiscal year, and makes 

those funds available on a reimbursable basis within the agency’s accounting and 

grants management systems. FHWA and the State DOT enter into individual project 

agreements to obligate those funds to projects. The Federal share of a project — 

commonly 80 percent — depends on the funding categories and the type of work 

performed. As work progresses on projects with State or local funds, the State submits 

billing requests for reimbursement of eligible expenses. The FHWA approves these 

requests, then the U.S. Treasury pays the State. Depending on the particular funding 

involved, this payment may come from either the Highway Account of the Highway 

Trust Fund (HTF) or from the General Fund of the U.S. Government.

• Provides technical assistance and technology development and deployment. The 

FHWA provides resources including: 

o A dedicated team of transportation-related technical specialists across the country 

that provides innovative and effective problem-solving, technology deployment, 

and training capabilities. 

o The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) in McLean, VA, which 

coordinates and conducts an ambitious program of transportation research, 

developing technologies and innovations for highway use and performing critical 

forensic investigation on highway infrastructure failures. 

o The National Highway Institute (NHI), which offers a broad range of instructor-led 

and web-based training courses to build and maintain the professional capacity of 

the transportation workforce. 

o Expert staff who train, help advance the adoption of innovations, and build 

capacity for local public agencies and Tribal governments through Local Technical 

Assistance (LTAP) and Tribal Technical Assistance (TTAP) programs. 

o Educational-based and practitioner-based programs that provide workforce 

development capacity building such as the Dwight David Eisenhower 

Transportation Fellowship Grants, the Federal-aid On-the-Job Training Program, 

and the On-the-Job Training Supportive Services Program.
9 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

o Funding and promotional activities to deploy innovative technologies and practices 

including Every Day Counts, Accelerated Innovation Deployment, Accelerating 

Market Readiness, and the State Transportation Innovation Councils. 

o Expert assistance on tolling policy, innovative financing, and public private 

partnerships, including support for the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and 

Innovation Act (TIFIA) credit program administered by the Build America Bureau.

o Access to global best practices and innovations to ensure safe and efficient highway 

transportation infrastructure through multilateral relations programs such as the 

World Road Association, Global Benchmarking Program, Binational Relations 

Programs, and the International Visitors Program. 

Federal Lands and Tribal Programs and Stewardship

Transportation infrastructure plays a key role in accessing Federal and Tribal lands, supporting 

communities, access to jobs and resources, and other national and local purposes. Federal and 

Tribal lands represent approximately 32 percent of the Nation’s land area, and infrastructure on 

these lands is crucial to recreation, travel and tourism, resource extraction, energy generation, 

economic development, and protection and enhancement of natural resources. 

The FHWA, through the Office of Federal Lands Highway, administers the FLTTP, the Nationally 

Significant Federal Lands and Tribal Projects (NSFLTP) Program, the Federal Lands Access 

Program (FLAP), Federal Lands Transportation 

Program (FLTP), and other programs to design 

and construct projects on behalf of Federal 

land management agencies. The FHWA also 

co-administers a coordinated transportation 

program for Tribal governments and provides 

funding and multimodal transportation expertise, 

engineering, and other technical services for 

Federal and Tribal lands. These resources and 

assistance have been instrumental in developing 

a multimodal, connected system of roads, 

bridges, trails, bike paths, transit, and other 

transportation facilities that are sensitive to the 

context of the land and gateway communities.

In addition, FHWA designs, procures, and 

administers transportation construction contracts 

for an approximate annual range of $650 

million to $1 billion for Federal agencies with 

highway construction requirements, and for 

State, local, and Territorial governments who 

request assistance from FHWA. This work is 

Stakeholders receiving assistance 

through the Federal Lands Highway 

Program: 

National Park Service (NPS) • U.S. 

Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) • 

Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) and 

Tribal Governments • Bureau of Land 

Management (BLM) • USDA Forest 

Service (Forest Service) • Department 

of Defense (DOD) • U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers (USACE) • Bureau 

of Reclamation (BOR) • National 

Aeronautics and Space Administration 

(NASA) • State DOTs • Atlantic and 

Pacific Territorial Governments
10 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

reimbursable from those entities receiving assistance. Recent notable project examples that FHWA 

delivered include the iconic Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge (unofficially called the 

Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge), reconstruction of Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier National Park, 

the Arlington Memorial Bridge, and disaster recovery projects related to Hurricanes Irma and Maria 

across Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

FHWA Leadership and Organization 

The FHWA is headed by an Administrator, a Presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed official 

who reports to the Secretary of Transportation. A Deputy Administrator, who serves as the secondin-command at FHWA, is appointed by the Secretary, but does not require Senate confirmation. 

An Executive Director, the highest-ranking career official in FHWA, provides leadership and is 

responsible for the day-to-day operation of FHWA. In the absence of both the Administrator and 

Deputy Administrator, the Executive Director serves as the Agency’s top executive.

Field Leaders

The FHWA’s field organization delivers program services to the FHWA’s stakeholders and 

customers. This organization consists of State-level Federal-aid Division Offices and regional 

Federal Lands Highway Division Offices.

Photo Credit: © [jonbilous] / Adobe Stock
11 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

Federal-aid Division Offices

The FHWA Division Offices are the face and voice of FHWA to the States. The Division 

Offices provide front-line Federal-aid program delivery assistance to stakeholders in highway 

transportation and safety services, including but not limited to planning and research, 

preliminary engineering, technology transfer, right-of-way, bridge, tunnel, highway safety, 

traffic operations, environment, civil rights, design, construction and maintenance, engineering 

coordination, highway beautification, and administration.

Each of the 52 operating Division Offices (one in each State, the District of Columbia, and Puerto 

Rico) is located in the same city as the State DOT, typically the State capital. In addition, FHWA 

operates four metropolitan offices in New York City, Orlando, Chicago, and Los Angeles that 

serve as extensions of their respective Division Offices. 

The FHWA Division Offices are divided into four geographical groups, each reporting to a 

Director of Field Services (DFS North, DFS South, DFS Mid-America, and DFS West). The 

Directors of Field Services report directly to the FHWA Executive Director.

FHWA Division Offices
12 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

Federal Lands Highway 

The FHWA, through the Office of Federal Lands Highway, administers the FLTTP, NSFLTP, 

Emergency Relief for Federally Owned Roads (ERFO) program, and the Defense Access Roads 

(DAR) program; and, performs program administration and coordination with Federal Land 

Management Agencies (FLMAs), Tribal governments, and State, Local, and other government 

entities, as well as serves as the “State DOT” for the Federal government. The Office of Federal 

Lands Highway is comprised of a Headquarters office, three Federal Lands Highway Division 

Offices, and Regional Project Offices (RPOs) that plan, design, procure, and administer the 

construction of transportation projects, and provide a wide range of technical transportation and 

engineering assistance and services. 

The Tribal Lands portion of the FLTTP is managed by the Office of Tribal Transportation (OTT). 

This office administers the Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) jointly with the U.S. Department 

of the Interior’s BIA. The OTT also provides funding, through stewardship and oversight for direct 

funding agreements, and technical assistance directly to approximately 130 of the 574 federallyrecognized Tribal governments, helping them to develop the capability and capacity to deliver their 

own transportation projects.

Federal Lands Highway 
Headquarters Organization and Leadership 

Headquarters provides policy and overall program direction to the agency. The Headquarters 

organization includes the Offices of the Administrator, Chief Counsel, and Chief Financial 

Officer, as well as several program offices (see table below). 

HEADQUARTERS ORGANIZATION

FHWA PROGRAM OFFICE ABOUT THE OFFICE

Chief Financial Officer (HCF) The Office of the Chief Financial Officer develops agency-wide 

policies and procedures, and provides support and assistance 

to FHWA Headquarters and field offices related to formulation 

and execution of agency budgets, financial and accounting 

services, and the proper utilization and accounting of agency 

resources. The office develops and implements acquisition 

policy, procedures, and guidelines for all elements of FHWA and 

provides agency-wide oversight of acquisition activities. 

Chief Counsel (HCC) The Office of the Chief Counsel is FHWA’s legal advocate and 

provides legal guidance to FHWA leadership; supports FHWA on 

legislative proposals, regulations, guidance, litigation support, 

and legal sufficiency reviews; and handles internal legal needs. 

The Field Legal Services Divisions and Federal Lands Legal Team 

provide direct legal support to Division Offices and Federal Lands 

Highway Division Offices within their respective geographic 

boundaries. 

Safety (HSA) The Office of Safety develops and implements strategies 

and programs toward eliminating highway fatalities and 

serious injuries by ensuring safety policies and programs are 

integrated with other FHWA and USDOT policies and initiatives, 

implementing safety-related legislation, improving datadriven decision-making, and promoting the development and 

incorporation of practices and safety features into roadway 

design and management.

Planning, Environment, 

and Realty (HEP)

The Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty provides policy 

and direction in the areas of transportation planning, natural and 

human environment, project development and environmental 

review, and real estate.

13 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
14 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

HEADQUARTERS ORGANIZATION

Operations (HOP) The Office of Operations provides leadership in the management 

and operation of the surface transportation system, including the 

integration of next generation technology, such as automated 

driving systems, with roadway transportation; tolling, pricing and 

revenue programs; and the application of data, technology, and 

planning to improve freight operations. Regulatory functions 

include oversight of traffic control devices and commercial motor 

vehicle size and weight enforcement.

Infrastructure (HIF) The Office of Infrastructure provides leadership, technical 

expertise, and program assistance in highway, pavement, 

materials, bridges, tunnels, and other structures; asset 

management and related engineering activities; contract 

administration and transportation performance management.

Civil Rights (HCR) The Office of Civil Rights provides guidance to the 

multidisciplinary highway community in ensuring the Federal-aid 

highway program is delivered in a nondiscriminatory manner, 

ensuring equity and inclusion outcomes, and leads the internal 

programs of Equal Employment Opportunity, Disability and 

Reasonable Accommodations, and Prevention of Harassment.

Administration (HAD) The Office of Administration develops agency-wide policies 

and provides support and assistance to FHWA’s Headquarters 

and field offices in matters relating to human resources, 

information systems and technology, information management, 

data governance, telecommunications, facilities management, 

records, Freedom of Information Act, and other administrative 

and management services.

Photo Credit: FHWA
HEADQUARTERS ORGANIZATION

Public Affairs (HPA) The Office of Public Affairs informs the public about FHWA 

activities, manages external communication programs, and is the 

agency’s primary point of contact for all media inquiries.

Research, Development, 

and Technology (HRT)

The Office of Research, Development, and Technology leads 

a nationally coordinated highway research and technology 

program to enable improved safety, durability, sustainability, and 

operational performance of the Nation’s highway transportation 

system. The Office also champions the advancement of highway 

innovation, and provides expert technical assistance on matters 

of national importance that require the specialized skills and 

capabilities of HRT/Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center 

(TFHRC) staff.

The TFHRC is a federally owned and operated national research 

facility in McLean, VA. The center houses 15 laboratories, 

support facilities, and data sets; and conducts applied and 

exploratory advanced research in vehicle-highway interaction, 

nanotechnology, and a host of other types of transportation 

research in safety, pavements, highway structures and 

bridges, human-centered systems, operations and intelligent 

transportation systems, and materials. The laboratories at 

the center provide a vital resource for advancing the body 

of knowledge that has been created and developed by our 

researchers.

Policy and Governmental 

Affairs (HPL)

The Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs advises leadership 

on FHWA policy; implements international programs; provides 

support and assistance to FHWA, USDOT, and Congress on 

policy development and execution; analyzes major policy issues 

impacting highway transportation for the future; and develops 

and analyzes policy-related data and information for highway 

and intermodal transportation decision-making. 

Federal Lands Highway 

(HFL)

The Office of Federal Lands Highway provides program 

administration of the FLTTP, and provides transportation 

expertise, technical assistance, and training for FLMAs, Tribal 

DOTs, federally-recognized Tribal governments, and other 

governmental entities.

15 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office

The Intelligent Transportation Systems Joint Program Office (ITS JPO) is the departmentwide authority for coordinating ITS program activities and initiatives, including a departmentwide ITS research program, among modal administrations of the USDOT. The ITS JPO is 

organizationally located within FHWA, which provides a range of professional, technical, 

and administrative support to the ITS JPO. However, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for 

Research and Technology (OST-R) has primary responsibility for the strategic oversight and 

direction of the ITS JPO, including providing policy guidance for ITS.

Joint Office of Energy and Transportation

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation was created through the Bipartisan Infrastructure 

Law to facilitate collaboration between the U.S. Department of Energy and the USDOT. The 

Joint Office provides support and expertise to a multitude of programs that seek to deploy a 

network of electric vehicle chargers, zero-emission fueling infrastructure, and zero-emission 

transit and school buses.

HEADQUARTERS ORGANIZATION

Office of Transportation 

Workforce Development 

and Technology 

Deployment (HIT)

The Office of Transportation Workforce Development and 

Technology Deployment provides leadership, technical 

expertise, technology and innovation deployment support in 

all highway transportation-related areas and leads all workforce 

development activities for current, emerging, and future 

transportation professionals. 

The office includes: the National Highway Institute, which 

delivers transportation training to build the skills of highway 

professionals and enhance job performance in the transportation 

industry across the country; and the Resource Center, which 

provides technical support and program assistance along with 

training and technology delivery to FHWA’s Division Offices, 

State DOTs, metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), and 

other transportation stakeholders. The office also leads agency 

innovation implementation management and deployment 

efforts, encouraging transportation stakeholders to use proven, 

yet underutilized, technologies to meet their most pressing 

challenges through programs like Every Day Counts and the 

State Transportation Innovation Councils. 

16 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Transportation Funding 101

The FHWA’s annual budget ($73.2 billion in 

2023, from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and 

the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023) is 

supported by the U.S. Treasury. Federal obligations 

(commitments) to surface transportation under the 

FAHP are typically paid from the HTF, though 

some are paid from the General Fund of the U.S. 

government. Revenues deposited in the HTF are 

raised through Federal taxes on gasoline and diesel 

fuel, as well as related truck excise taxes. Each year, 

FHWA distributes funding to States and local agencies; to the FLTTP (for Tribal lands, national 

parks, national forests and other land under Federal stewardship); and for research, training and 

education, and other programs administered by FHWA and its stakeholders.

Authorization and Contract Authority

The first step in funding the FAHP takes place when Congress passes authorizing legislation. 

Authorization by Congress establishes, or authorizes, the continued operation of a Federal agency, 

activity, or program for a fixed or indefinite period of time. Authorizing legislation for highways 

began with the passage of the Federal-Aid Road Act in 1916 and the Federal Highway Act in 

1921. Since then, the FAHP has been renewed through the passage of multi-year authorizations, 

most recently the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law or BIL, enacted on November 15, 2021, as the 

Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act (IIJA).

About 90 percent of the FAHP consists of the following “core” programs:

• National Highway Performance Program (NHPP); 

• Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBG); 

• Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP); 

• Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality 

 Improvement (CMAQ) Program;

• Metropolitan Planning (PL); 

• Railway-Highway Crossings Program (RHCP); 

• National Highway Freight Program (NHFP);

• Carbon Reduction Program (CRP); and

• Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-saving 

Transportation (PROTECT) Formula Program.

WHAT IS TITLE 23?

Title 23 of the United States Code 

(U.S.C.), is the collection of most 

of the recurring provisions of laws 

that govern FHWA Programs. 

17 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Photo Credit: © [Casa.da.Photo] / Adobe Stock

Most Federal programs require a second legislative 

step — appropriation — to make the authorized funds 

available for projects and distribution. The FAHP 

is different and generally operates under a form 

of budget authority known as “contract authority.” 

Contract authority is a special type of budgetary 

authority that allows FHWA to distribute funding to 

States at the beginning of the Fiscal Year, regardless 

of whether Congress has passed an appropriations 

bill. This eliminates uncertainty about availability of 

funds and gives States the ability to do the long-term 

planning necessary for complex highway projects.

However, FHWA still requires an appropriation 

from Congress to liquidate (reimburse) authorized 

obligations and provide cash from the HTF to allow 

the agency to reimburse States as work on projects 

progresses. In addition, the annual appropriations act 

(or continuing appropriations act) provides a limitation 

on obligations that may be made under the FAHP. 

General Fund Programs

In addition to its contract authority programs — which are funded by the HTF — a number of 

FHWA programs draw support from the General Fund. Notable examples include three highway 

formula programs under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: (1) the Bridge Formula Program 

(BFP), (2) the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program, and (3) the 

Appalachian Development Highway System (ADHS) Program. These General Fund programs 

are not subject to the annual limitation on FAHP obligations.

A GUIDE TO FEDERAL AID 

PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

For more information about 

the Federal-aid programs, 

projects, and other program 

characteristics, please see 

the Guide to Federal Aid 

Programs and Projects at 

https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/

federalaid/projects.pdf or 

NHI courses on Highway 

Program Funding or 

Federal-Aid 101.

18 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Definition of Key Funding Terms

Authorization 

Appropriation

Apportionment 

(Formula 

Funding)

The term is typically used in the context of an authorization bill or act (law):

substantive legislation that establishes or continues Federal programs or agencies 

and establishes an upper limit on the amount of funds for the program or programs. 

Within such an act, the term may also refer to the program-specific upper limit.

The term is typically used in the context of an appropriations bill or act: a law 

that typically makes funds available for obligation and expenditure with specific 

limitations as to amount, purpose, and duration. 

Allocation

Obligation

Obligation 

Limitation

An administrative distribution of funds for programs that are not normally 

distributed to States by a statutory formula, as it relates to funding Federal-aid 

highways.

The Federal government’s legal commitment (promise) to pay or reimburse a 

State or other entity for the Federal share of a project’s eligible costs.

A ceiling on the total amount of Federal-aid highway funding (subject to such 

limitation) that may be obligated in a particular fiscal year.

Outlays

Payments made to the State or other entity to pay the entity for eligible costs 

incurred. Outlays generally are provided as work progresses for the Federal share 

for approved highway program activities.

19 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

The distribution of funds to States as prescribed by a statutory formula, as it 

relates to funding Federal-aid highways.
Formulas, Penalties, Set-asides, and Suballocation 

Formulas and Penalties

Most of the FAHP is distributed annually to States through formulas established in law. Under 

recent authorizations, FHWA has used a formula to calculate an initial sum for each State’s 

Federal-aid apportionment then divides the State’s lump sum among different programs based 

upon procedures defined in law. In some cases, Federal law directs FHWA to modify those 

initial shares slightly, based on States’ relative contributions to the HTF. In other cases, a State 

may have a penalty applied; to enforce certain national priorities, Congress has established 

statutory penalties that can prevent a State from receiving or using its full apportionment or 

place certain restrictions on some apportioned funding. These penalties are applied when FHWA 

annually apportions funds. 

Set-asides

Federal highway law also requires States to use certain sums of their apportionments only for 

special purposes. FHWA refers to these special purposes as set-asides. Examples of set-asides are 

included in the following table.

EXAMPLES OF SET-ASIDES

State planning and 

research (SPR)

Two percent of a State’s NHPP, STBG, HSIP, CMAQ, and NHFP funds 

may only be used for planning and research activities. One-fourth of 

this amount must be used for research, development, and technology 

activities unless certain conditions apply.

Transportation 

Alternatives (TA)

FHWA sets aside a portion of each State’s STBG apportionments to 

fund TA. Among other things, it includes pedestrian and bicycle 

facilities, safe routes to schools projects and activities, vulnerable 

road user safety assessments, infrastructure projects for improving 

non-driver access to public transportation and enhanced mobility, 

community improvement activities such as historic preservation 

and vegetation management, environmental mitigation related to 

stormwater and habitat connectivity, and recreational trail projects.

Off-system bridges Bridges that are not located on Federal-aid highways are sometimes 

referred to as “off-system bridges.” Federal law requires FHWA to set 

aside for these bridges an amount of a State’s STBG apportionment 

equal to 20 percent of the State’s fiscal year (FY) 2009 Highway Bridge 

Program apportionment. FHWA may waive or reduce this requirement if it 

determines that this expenditure is unnecessary in a particular State.

20 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Suballocation 

To promote the fair and equitable use of funds, and to meet certain priorities, States are required 

by law to reserve some Federal funding for use only in certain population-based areas of the State.

Suballocation of STBG Program. After applying the SPR and TA set-asides, FHWA is required 

by law to reserve 55 percent of a State’s remaining STBG funds for use in the following areas, in 

proportion to the relative share each area constitutes of the State’s population:1

1. Urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population over 200,000 (further 

suballocated to each such area within a State based on the population of the area2

); 

2. Urbanized areas of the State with an urbanized area population of not less than 50,000 

and not more than 200,000;

3. Urban areas of the State with a population not less than 5,000 and not more than 49,999; and

4. Areas of the State with a population of less than 5,000.

Suballocation of TA funds. After TA funds are apportioned to a State, part is set-aside for the 

Recreational Trails Program (unless the State opts out). After the Recreational Trails set-aside, 59 

percent of TA funds are suballocated to the population areas described above.

Suballocation of Carbon Reduction Program (CRP) funds. Similar to STBG funding, FHWA 

is required by law to suballocate 65 percent of a State’s CRP funds to the population areas 

described above. As with STBG, these suballocated amounts are distributed in proportion to the 

relative share each area constitutes of the State’s population.3

Disadvantaged Business Enterprises 

Recent authorization acts have required USDOT, unless the Secretary determines otherwise, to 

spend at least 10 percent of the funding for its highway, transit, and research programs with small 

business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals. 

The DBE program’s primary objective is to ensure that small, disadvantaged businesses can 

compete fairly for federally assisted State highway program contracts. The 10 percent statutory 

goal is an aspirational goal at the national level. 

Each State, as a recipient of Federal funds, must administer a DBE program and set a narrowlytailored overall DBE participation goal consistent with circumstances in its highway construction 

market. The DBE program and overall goal of a primary recipient (e.g., a State DOT) apply to 

all the Federal funds that will be expended in FHWA-assisted contracts. This includes not only 

the Federal funds expended in contracts that the primary recipient itself lets, but also the Federal 

funds that subrecipients let in FHWA-assisted contracts. Recipients are required to achieve their 

overall DBE goals to the maximum extent feasible through race-neutral means. A recipient is 

expected to establish DBE contract goals to meet any portion of the annual overall goal it is 

unable to meet through race-neutral measures. The use of quotas for DBEs is not permitted. 

1 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(1)(A).

2 23 U.S.C. 133(d)(4)(A).

3 23 U.S.C. 175(e)(1)(A).

21 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Highway Trust Fund

The highway programs of the Federal government and most States depend on highway-user tax 

receipts as the principal source of funding. Federal highway-user tax revenues are deposited 

in the HTF, which consists of the Highway Account (which funds highway and intermodal 

programs, along with FMCSA, some NHTSA programs, and the Office of the Secretary of 

Transportation’s TIFIA program) and the Mass Transit Account (which funds a variety of mass 

transit programs through FTA). 

Federal motor fuel taxes — currently 18.3 cents per gallon for gasoline, and 24.4 cents per gallon 

for diesel (not including any motor fuel taxes assessed by individual States) — are the major 

source of income into the HTF. The FAHP has increased in size over recent decades. Over that 

period, the taxes that support the HTF have fallen behind authorized program levels (the taxes 

were last adjusted by Congress in 1993), and the purchasing power of the HTF and HTF revenues 

have been shrinking due to inflation and increased fuel efficiency. Beginning in 2008, Congress 

has, on a number of occasions, passed laws to transfer into the HTF additional cash to keep 

the HTF solvent. These transfers primarily have been from the General Fund of the Treasury, 

although there have been some smaller transfers from the Leaking Underground Storage Tank 

Trust Fund (a separate trust fund set up for certain environmental cleanup purposes, which is 

financed with a small portion of motor fuel taxes). 

The most recent authorization act, BIL, transfers $90 billion from the General Fund to 

the Highway Account of the HTF, to keep it solvent for years. In addition, BIL authorized 

an additional $47.3 billion in advance appropriations from the General Fund for Highway 

Infrastructure Programs to supplement spending from the HTF, to fully fund highway programs 

during the 5-year period of the BIL.

Federal Share 

The Federal government typically does not pay for the entire cost of construction or improvement 

of Federal-aid highways. Therefore, the project sponsor usually has to “match” Federal funds 

with funds from other sources. The maximum share of an eligible project’s costs that the Federal 

government will cover is known as the Federal share. In almost all cases a recipient may, at its 

option, reduce the Federal share for a project by contributing more non-Federal resources than 

required by law. Unless otherwise specified in law, most projects have a maximum Federal share 

of 80 percent.

Discretionary Funding

USDOT and FHWA administer discretionary programs. These discretionary programs represent 

special funding categories where USDOT solicits and selects projects. Each program has its own 

eligibility and selection criteria established by law, by regulation, or administratively. The BIL 

expanded the range of discretionary programs that FHWA administers. The tables below, which 

are not inclusive of all programs, demonstrate the range of USDOT and FHWA discretionary 

grant programs available for surface transportation projects. 

22 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
FHWA-ADMINISTERED DISCRETIONARY GRANTS (EXAMPLES)

PROGRAM NAME SUMMARY OF GRANT 

PROGRAM

BIL FUNDING

Bridge Investment Program The Bridge Investment 

Program is a discretionary 

grant program to improve 

bridge condition, safety, 

efficiency, and reliability. It is 

a complement to the bridge 

formula program, with a 

wide range of recipients, and 

is oriented towards large 

projects.

$12.5 billion over 5 years (FY 

2022-2026)

Promoting Resilient 

Operations for 

Transformative, Efficient, 

and Cost-saving 

Transportation (PROTECT) 

Discretionary Program

The purpose of the PROTECT 

discretionary grant program 

is to fund planning, resilience 

improvements, community 

resilience and evacuation 

routes, and at-risk coastal 

infrastructure, across a wide 

range of recipients.

$1.4 billion over 5 years (FY 

2022-2026) 

Reconnecting Communities 

Pilot Program

This discretionary grant 

program provides planning 

or capital construction grants 

to a range of recipients 

to fund restoration of 

community connectivity by 

removing, retrofitting, or 

mitigating highways or other 

transportation facilities that 

create barriers to community 

connectivity, including to 

mobility, access, or economic 

development.

$1 billion over 5 years (FY 

2022-2026)

23 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
24 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

FHWA-ADMINISTERED DISCRETIONARY GRANTS (EXAMPLES)

Charging and Fueling 

Infrastructure Grants 

Program

The program provides 

grants to fund the strategic 

deployment of publicly 

accessible electric vehicle (EV) 

charging infrastructure and 

hydrogen/propane/natural 

gas fueling infrastructure 

along designated alternative 

fuel corridors and in 

communities. 

$2.5 billion over FY 2022-2026

Safe Streets and Roads for 

All Program (SSFA)

The SSFA program provides 

grants to Tribal governments, 

MPOs, and political 

subdivisions of a State 

(e.g., local governments) 

to support local initiatives 

to prevent transportationrelated death and serious 

injury on roads and streets 

(commonly referred to as 

“Vision Zero” or “Toward 

Zero Deaths” initiatives), with 

not less than 40 percent of 

funding reserved to develop 

comprehensive safety action 

plans.

$1 billion annually, for 5 years 

(FY 2022-2026)

Accelerated Innovation 

Deployment (AID) 

Demonstrations

The purpose of the AID 

Demonstrations grant 

program is to support 

continued implementation of 

proven innovative practices 

and technologies as standard 

practices.

Approximately $10 million 

annually
FHWA-ADMINISTERED DISCRETIONARY GRANTS (EXAMPLES)

Advanced Transportation 

and Technologies and 

Innovative Mobility 

Deployment (ATTIMD)

The ATTIMD program 

provides grants to 

eligible entities to deploy, 

install, and operate 

advanced transportation 

technologies to improve 

safety, mobility, efficiency, 

system performance, 

intermodal connectivity, 

and infrastructure return on 

investment.

$60 million annually

Nationally Significant 

Federal Lands and Tribal 

Projects (NSFLTP) Program

The NSFLTP program provides 

funding for the construction, 

reconstruction, and 

rehabilitation of nationallysignificant projects within, 

adjacent to, or accessing 

Federal and Tribal lands. 

$55 million annually, 

with an additional $300 

million annually subject to 

appropriation

FY 2022 appropriated $75 

million

Strategic Innovation 

for Revenue Collection 

(SIRC) Program

The SIRC modifies and 

renames the prior Surface 

Transportation System 

Funding Alternatives (STSFA) 

program. USDOT will test 

the feasibility of a road 

usage fee and other userbased alternative revenue 

mechanisms to help maintain 

the long-term solvency of the 

HTF, through pilot projects at 

the State, local, and regional 

level.

$15 million annually

National Scenic Byways 

Program (NSBP)

The NSBP provides grants to 

States and Tribal governments 

for eligible projects on 

National Scenic Byways or 

All-American Roads, or State 

or Tribal scenic byways, or to 

plan, design, and develop a 

State or Tribal scenic byway 

program.

FY 2022 appropriated $6 

million

25 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
OST-ADMINISTERED DISCRETIONARY

 GRANTS FOR TRANSPORTATION AGENCIES

PROGRAM NAME SUMMARY OF GRANT 

PROGRAM

FUNDING

Local and Regional Project 

Assistance Program (RAISE)

RAISE, formerly known as 

BUILD and TIGER, funds surface 

transportation infrastructure 

projects with significant local or 

regional impact.

$1.5 billion annually, subject 

to appropriation

FY 2022 appropriated an 

additional $775 million

Infrastructure for 

Rebuilding America (INFRA)

The INFRA program (the 

Nationally Significant Freight 

and Highway Projects (NSFHP) 

program, formerly FASTLANE) 

provides dedicated, 

discretionary funding for 

projects that improve the 

safety, efficiency, and reliability 

of the movement of freight 

and people in and across rural 

and urban areas. Includes 

multimodal freight network 

projects and international 

border projects. Additional 

eligibility exists for nonhighway freight projects.

Average $1.6 billion annually, 

with an additional $1.2 billion 

subject to appropriation

Emergency Relief 

Congress authorized a special program from the HTF for the repair or reconstruction of Federalaid highways, and multimodal transportation facilities on Federal and Tribal lands, that have 

suffered serious damage due to natural disasters over a wide area, such as damage from a 

flood, hurricane, tidal wave, earthquake, severe storm, wildfire, or landslide; or catastrophic 

failures from an external cause. This program, commonly referred to as the Emergency Relief 

(ER) program, supplements the commitment of resources by States, their political subdivisions, 

Territorial and Tribal governments, and Federal land management agencies, and is intended to 

aid in repairs and help pay for unusually heavy expenses resulting from these natural disasters or 

catastrophic events.

The applicability of the ER program to a natural disaster is based on the extent and severity of 

the damage. Approved ER funds are available at the Federal share that would typically apply to 

the highway facility that was damaged.

26 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
In addition, repair work to restore essential travel, minimize the extent of damage, or protect the 

remaining facilities, accomplished in the first 270 days after the actual occurrence of the natural 

disaster or catastrophic failure, may be reimbursed at 100 percent Federal share. The 270-day 

time period for 100 percent eligibility of emergency repairs may be extended for locations where 

a State cannot access a site to evaluate damages and the cost of repair.

Under the BIL, the ER program now also permits ER projects to incorporate economically 

justifiable improvements that will mitigate the risk of recurring damage from extreme weather, 

flooding, and other natural disasters, and it includes a list of protective features and design 

elements that are eligible expenses.

Congress has authorized $100 million annually for the ER program from the HTF, and 

periodically provides additional funds through supplemental appropriations, typically through 

the General Fund. Congress has supplemented the program by providing over $15 billion of 

relief funding over the last 15 years. FHWA provides nationwide allocations of ER funding for 

unmet funding needs for repair and reconstruction. FHWA also periodically releases ER funding 

through “quick releases” — initial installments of funds to restore essential traffic and limit 

further highway damage for a specific event.

FAHP Project Delivery and Program Oversight

Stewardship and Oversight Agreement 

Federal agencies may not transfer their decision-making authority to non-Federal entities 

except where authorized by law. In 1991, in recognition of the significant role the States have in 

maintaining the national road system, Congress increased the authorized role of State DOTs in 

overseeing the FAHP. Legislation made it possible for FHWA to formally transfer some of its 

responsibilities for the Federal-aid program to State DOTs. Federal laws now allow State DOTs to 

act on behalf of FHWA by taking responsibility for most project development activities, as well 

as administering the construction and inspection of many Federal-aid projects. FHWA remains 

responsible for ensuring compliance with Federal requirements.

The State DOT assumption of FHWA responsibilities is memorialized in State-specific 

Stewardship and Oversight Agreements between the FHWA Federal-aid Division Office and 

the State DOT. These statutorily-required agreements are intended to ensure that the Federalaid highway program is delivered in an efficient and effective manner consistent with applicable 

laws, regulations, policies, and good businesses practices. 

Examples of responsibilities that may be transferred to a State DOT through a Stewardship and 

Oversight Agreement include various decisions related to:

• Project design requirements;

• The purchase of rights-of-way;

27 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
• Administering construction projects; and

• Other project-specific activities relating to design, plans, specifications, estimates, 

contract awards, and inspections. 

Pursuant to other statutory provisions in Title 23, United States Code, and as discussed below, 

FHWA may transfer its responsibilities for most environmental reviews to State DOTs. These 

authorities are exercised through FHWA-State DOT agreements specific to the performance of 

environmental review activities.

Risk-based Approach 

Many sectors of the economy and of society have increased their focus on risk. This focus 

follows an increased emphasis on performance in pursuing goals, objectives, and targets. In 2012, 

the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) established a new framework 

for a performance-based Federal highway program. This included designating national 

performance goals and directing FHWA to establish associated national performance measures, 

which the agency has since set through regulation.

The FHWA uses a risk-based stewardship and oversight (RBSO) approach to determine, 

consistent with statutes, regulations, Executive Orders, and administrative and financial 

controls, how and when the FHWA is involved in programs and projects. RBSO integrates risk 

management into the FHWA performance planning process to identify agency-wide stewardship 

and oversight initiatives. These initiatives span both the national and unit (division) level. RBSO 

initiatives include:

• The FHWA/State Stewardship and Oversight Agreements, which document the extent 

to which a State assumes the responsibilities of FHWA under Title 23 to carry out 

project responsibilities traditionally handled by FHWA, and describe FHWA oversight 

activities; 

• Required project and program actions administered by FHWA, including project-level 

actions that FHWA determines cannot, or should not, be assumed by States; 

• Risk-based project and program involvement, which is a FHWA response to elevated 

risks or meaningful opportunities to inform and improve programs and meet FHWA 

objectives. This risk-based involvement includes program and project reviews, situations 

where FHWA elects to retain a specific project-level decision due to conditions in the 

State, and instances where FHWA takes on project involvement due to a risk assessment 

for the particular project; and 

• Data-driven compliance assurance checks, through a compliance assessment program 

and a financial integrity review and evaluation program, are used by FHWA to sample 

projects and inform program compliance.

The FHWA’s leadership team routinely meets to assess and reestablish the agency’s risk appetite 

and tolerance to guide decisions for achieving measurable objectives associated with FHWA’s 

28 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
mission. With the agency’s risk appetite as a guide, these decisions flow down to program units 

in FHWA. Federal-aid Division Offices, in coordination with State DOTs, consider internal and 

externals risks and direct FHWA involvement to areas where it adds the most value.

The FHWA and State DOTs identify these areas by collecting program and project data on past 

performances and emerging challenges, ranking the threats and opportunities, and then prioritizing 

agency efforts. Primary tools for collecting data to inform these risk assessments are through riskbased project involvement, program and process reviews, and the compliance assessment program. 

FHWA Project Delivery Process

Projects that use FAHP funds typically follow a series of six fundamental phases of development. 

The first phase is metropolitan and statewide transportation planning, where transportation 

needs and ideas are conceptualized. The project then moves through environmental review, 

design, right-of-way, construction, and maintenance and operation. There are four major 

approval milestones through the project development process: (1) approval of the transportation 

improvement plan; (2) completion of the environmental review process; (3) plans, specifications, 

and estimates (PS&E); and (4) closing of the project. 

Planning Phase 

The planning phase is where State DOTs and MPOs identify the statewide, regional, and 

metropolitan transportation needs and the transportation improvements to help meet those 

needs. State DOTs are responsible for statewide and non-metropolitan transportation 

planning, while MPOs are responsible for transportation planning in any urbanized area over 

50,000 population (per the decennial Census). State DOTs and MPOs develop long-range 

transportation plans (LRTPs) that identify transportation needs and multimodal investments 

for at least the next 20 years.

If a State or local transportation agency plans to use Federal-aid funds (FHWA and/or FTA) for 

a transportation improvement, it must be included in the programming document known as the 

Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP). Development of a STIP involves Federal 

and State government, MPOs, regional transportation planning organizations (RTPOs), transit 

agencies, local public agencies, Tribes, Federal land management agencies, and the public. 

Each MPO develops its own Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) that governs the project 

list for the respective area. TIPs are incorporated directly or by reference in each State’s approved 

STIP. Once the project is in an approved STIP, the project can be considered for Federal-aid 

funding. Projects included in the STIP are consistent with transportation needs identified in the 

respective LRTP.

Each State DOT is required to ensure the transportation plan is fiscally constrained. This means 

that the metropolitan transportation plan, TIP, and STIP include sufficient financial information 

to demonstrate that projects in the plan can be implemented using committed, available, or 

reasonably available revenue sources, with reasonable assurance that the federally supported 

29 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
30 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

transportation system is being adequately operated and maintained. If there is a major change 

to the estimated cost for a project in the STIP, a STIP amendment may be required before the 

project can be authorized for construction. 

Environmental Review Process

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) provides a framework for Federal agencies to 

assess the impacts of a proposed project or action on the human and natural environment before 

constructing the project or proceeding with the action. In addition to NEPA, other laws and 

regulations, such as Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, the Clean 

Water Act, and the Endangered Species Act, may also apply to projects or other Federal actions. 

Generally, compliance with these other environmental laws is resolved during the NEPA process. 

FHWA has demonstrated that certain categories of projects do not typically cause significant 

environmental impacts and has documented the parameters of these types of projects in 

regulation. Projects that qualify as Categorical Exclusions (CE) require minimal documentation 

to complete the environmental review process. Over 98 percent of Federal-aid projects fall into 

this category.

In some cases, because of the potential for significant environmental impacts, a Federal 

agency may prepare an Environmental Assessment (EA); or for major Federal actions that may 

significantly affect the human or natural environment, an Environmental Impact Statement 

(EIS). Both look at alternatives, the potential impacts the project may have on the environment, 

and mitigation of those impacts. In these cases, Federal agencies, such as FHWA, conclude the 

environmental review process with a Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) or a Record 

of Decision (ROD), as appropriate. The decisions are made with input from the public and in 

consultation with other Federal, State, Tribal, and local agencies. 

In recognition of State DOTs’ experience with NEPA, Congress established processes in 

law for States to assume some or all of FHWA’s NEPA responsibilities. Through the Surface 

Transportation Project Delivery Program, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation may assign and 

the State may assume the Secretary’s responsibilities under NEPA for one or more highway 

projects. A separate statutory authority also allows FHWA to transfer to State DOTs certain 

FHWA environmental responsibilities for projects that can be categorically-excluded from the 

preparation of an EA or EIS.

Regardless of the decision-maker, issuing a final NEPA determination with a CE, FONSI, or 

ROD is an important step in the project development process.

Design Phase 

The design phase is when the details necessary to construct the project are defined. At the end of 

the design phase, the plans, contract specifications, and estimated costs package are assembled. 

This PS&E package must be reviewed and approved by the appropriate party before the project 

can move into construction. 
31 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders | 2022

Photo Credit: © [Natalia Bratslavsky] / Adobe Stock

31 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

Right-of-Way Phase 

Right-of-way may include the purchase of properties or negotiation of land use agreements that 

are needed for a project. It also may include displacing residential and commercial property 

owners and tenants. To ensure fair and equitable treatment of property owners and tenants during 

this process, any right-of-way needed for the project must be acquired in accordance with the 

Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, otherwise 

known as the Uniform Act, even if Federal funds are not needed until construction. Coordination 

with utilities and railroads also occurs during this phase. 

Construction Phase

This phase includes soliciting bids or proposals, awarding a contract, and physical construction 

by the contractor and administration of the contract and quality assurance by funding recipient.

Maintenance and Operation Phase 

This phase includes the opening of the project for use by the public and ongoing preventive 

maintenance. The FHWA role in this phase includes specific statutory authorities for oversight 

responsibilities, including highway bridge and tunnel inspections, to ensure the public’s safety 

throughout those assets’ service lives.

Performance-Based Federal-Aid Highway Program

Performance requirements were integrated into the FAHP through the passage of MAP-21 and 

then continued through its successor laws: the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) 

Act and BIL. These new elements were implemented through a series of rulemakings which 

have been in effect for several years. The rulemakings established 17 national measures that 

are used by States and FHWA to assess and carry out safety, infrastructure, freight, mobility, 

congestion mitigation, and air quality programs. States and MPOs are required to use the 

measures to establish targets which they are held accountable to meet. States and MPOs use the 

targets to guide their planning and programming of funds and are required to report on progress. 

Additionally, States are required to maintain minimum conditions of their Interstate pavements 

and NHS bridges. 
Contact Us

We encourage you to visit us on the web at:

• Bipartisan Infrastructure Law website, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/bipartisaninfrastructure-law/

• Main website, at https://www.fhwa.dot.gov or https://highways.dot.gov

• Please also follow us on our social media channels: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, 

YouTube, Flickr, and Instagram.

If you have any further questions, we are happy to assist you.

If you are a State DOT, Local Public Agency, or Territorial Government,

Please visit https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/about/field.cfm to contact FHWA Division Offices or 

https://fhwaapps.fhwa.dot.gov/foisp/keyFieldDirFieldServices.do to contact the Directors of 

Field Services.

If congressional or intergovernmental officials or staff have an inquiry, 

Please reach out to our Congressional Affairs Team: 

► Office of Legislative Affairs and Policy Communications, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/

olsp/olspstaff.cfm

If you are a non-governmental stakeholder with an inquiry,

Please reach out to our Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs:

► Office of Policy and Governmental Affairs, https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/policy/opstaff.cfm

If you have a media inquiry or an interview request, 

Please reach out to the Office of Public Affairs at 202-366-0660.

32 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023
Photo Credit: monkeybusinessimages/iStock 

33 Federal Highway Administration 

An Overview for our Stakeholders, 2023

If you are a Federal partner or Tribe or have questions related to

transportation infrastructure on Federal or Tribal lands, please contact: 

► Office of Federal Lands Highway

1200 New Jersey Ave, SE

Washington, DC 20590

202-366-9494

federallands.fhwa@dot.gov

https://highways.dot.gov/federallands/about/contacts

► Central Federal Lands 

Highway Division

12300 West Dakota Avenue

Suite 390

Lakewood, CO 80228

720-963-3500

CFL.FHWA@dot.gov

► Eastern Federal Lands 

Highway Division

22001 Loudoun County Parkway

Building E2, Suite 200

Ashburn, VA 20147

703-404-6201

EFL.FHWA@dot.gov

► Western Federal Lands 

Highway Division

610 East Fifth Street

Vancouver, WA 98661-3801

360-619-7700

WFL.FHWA@dot.gov

Or visit: https://highways.dot.gov/federal-lands/about/contacts
U.S. Department of Transportation

Federal Highway Administration

1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE

Washington, DC 20590

highways.dot.gov

Publication NO.

FHWA-PL-23-008