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.
