Our Mission
The FHWA's primary mission is to ensure that the Nation's highway transportation system is safe for public use. This movement of people and goods must be accomplished economically and efficiently. The FHWA also must consider how highways affect the environment, as well as social and economic conditions.
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How We Accomplish Our
Mission
The FHWA works with State highway agencies, transportation associations, State
Motor Vehicle Administrations, State Departments of Public Safety, and private
consultants throughout the United States. We are involved in all phases of highway
planning, design, construction, traffic operations, and safety.
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Federal-Aid Highway
Program The FHWA administers the Federal-aid Highway Program, an annual
multi-billion dollar program of financial assistance to the States.
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Highway Trust Fund
Federal funding generally comes from the highway user tax-supported
Highway Trust Fund. The principal revenue source is the motor-fuel tax.
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Headquarters The FHWA has its headquarters office in Washington, D.C. The
headquarters staff formulates policy and provides staff guidance and
direction to the field organization.
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Regions The field organization includes nine regional offices located
throughout the United States.
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Divisions
A division office is located in each State, the District of Columbia,
and Puerto Rico. These offices are grouped under and report to the
nine regional offices.
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Federal Lands Highway
Division Offices The FHWA has three Federal Lands Highway divisions:
Eastern Division, Sterling, Virginia; Central Division, Denver,
Colorado; Western Division, Vancouver, Washington.
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Office of Motor Carrier Safety
Motor Carrier Safety offices are co-located with each FHWA division
office. The following States also have additional offices in key
metropolitan areas: California, Illinois, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas,
and Virginia.
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Research Center The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center is in McLean, Virginia
(near Washington, D.C.). The center provides laboratory facilities for staff
and contract research.
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International Offices
Technical assistance is provided to nations around the world.
Such international projects provide FHWA personnel the opportunity
to work and live outside the United States.
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Federal Highway Administration - United States Department of Transportation