FHWA move promoting safety for highway workers

A new move by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the US will help improve safety for highway workers and road users alike. The FHWA has issued a guidance memorandum saying how states can recoup the cost of acquiring highway safety equipment as a direct charge on federal aid projects. According to the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), this move will help encourage innovation and competition in public and private sectors by allowing funding for new classes of construction
September 19, 2017 Read time: 2 mins
A new move by the 2410 Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) in the US will help improve safety for highway workers and road users alike. The FHWA has issued a guidance memorandum saying how states can recoup the cost of acquiring highway safety equipment as a direct charge on federal aid projects. According to the 920 American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA), this move will help encourage innovation and competition in public and private sectors by allowing funding for new classes of construction and safety equipment.


This marks a key change for the sector as safety equipment would have previously not been eligible for funding. But the acquisition costs of highway safety equipment costs can now meet the terms of FHWA funding costs if the states can provide sufficient documentation supporting a federal highway or transportation interest. The equipment has to have a useful life of over one year and equipment purchases must meet requirements specific to the relevant funding programme.

This development follows ARTBA’s request to the FHWA as to whether state transportation departments could access federal funds to pay for technology such as movable barriers made from steel or concrete.

Road Markings, Barriers & Workzone Protection

Related Content

  • US highways needs investment
    July 1, 2015
    In the US, the president recently signed a short-term extension for highway funding. This is a two-month extension that will provide funding for highway infrastructure until the end of July. But it is a very temporary measure made as the US Government has so far been unable to agree the longer term deal that will guarantee highway investment. The Highway Trust Fund is in particular need of investment and such a short-term political patch cannot provide the necessary solution to help boost the US constru
    Read More
  • The drive for US road funding: will corporate America get a seat?
    September 13, 2017
    Trumponomics aims to use public money for pump-priming an even greater amount of cash from the private sector to improve America’s crumbling roads. But is political will matching corporate America’s enthusiasm for more private investment, asks David Arminas If there were ever a test case for comparing public-private partnerships and design-build contracts, the recently completed Ohio River Bridges Project is it (see previous article).
    Read More
  • ARTBA highlights large increase in speed of DOT fund allocations
    February 19, 2013
    Federal, state and local departments of transportation (DOTs) in the United States have so far allocated US$7 billion in federal funds during the 2013 Fiscal Year (FY), according to the latest Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) data analysis by the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA). The figure, for the year from October 1 2012, is an increase of 56% over the $4.5 billion allocated during the same time period last year. “The current obligation levels are much more in line with w
    Read More
  • Safer highway containment continues to grow
    March 8, 2012
    A steady flow of new technology and systems is ensuring the highway barrier sector is seeing major gains in safety. Mike Woof reports A combination of technological development and tougher regulations are ensuring a constant flow of new safety barrier solutions for the highway sector. Issues such as containment and deflection are high on the technical agenda, while a wide array of technologies is being developed to meet specific needs for certain applications. Both in the US and Europe, an increased focus o
    Read More

Highlighted Content