States can now start building federal highway projects without waiting for federal approval

The Federal Highway Administration is removing a rule that required states to get federal approval before starting construction on projects that would eventually receive federal funding. This means states can begin work on highways and bridges immediately, instead of waiting for federal paperwork to clear.

For decades, states had to wait for federal sign-off before breaking ground on federally-funded highway projects. This often led to delays, especially for projects that were ready to go but stuck in bureaucratic queues. Now, states can use their own money to start construction, knowing they will be reimbursed later, which could speed up infrastructure development.