Highway construction must now consider how much traffic it causes

The Federal Highway Administration is changing its rules for how road construction projects are planned. Projects must now account for how much traffic congestion and how many crashes they might cause.

For years, road construction projects focused on getting the work done, often without fully considering the disruption to drivers. This change means state and local transportation departments will have to plan projects differently, looking at the wider impact on traffic and safety from the start. It could lead to fewer sudden lane closures and better detours, making commutes less frustrating.