US highway projects must now use US-made manufactured products, closing a loophole

The US Federal Highway Administration ended a broad exemption for manufactured products used in federal highway projects. Most parts and materials for these projects must now be made in the United States.

For years, federal highway projects could use manufactured products from anywhere. This rule forces contractors to source these products from US factories. It means US manufacturers get a guaranteed market for things like traffic signals, guardrails, and construction equipment parts.