About FHWA, California Division

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was established in 1967 as one of the operating administrations of the Department of Transportation (U. S. DOT). The Agency has been in existence since 1893, and prior to 1967 was known by other names such as the Office of Road Inquiry and the Bureau of Public Roads. The organizational structure of the Agency consists of the Washington Headquarters, 4 Resource Centers, 52 Division Offices, 4 Metropolitan Offices and three Federal Lands Highway Offices. For more on the origin, history, or organizational structure of the FHWA, visit the FHWA Washington Headquarters Homepage.

The California Division represents FHWA in California and works in close partnership with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The Division office is organized into the following functional teams:

ADMINISTRATOR'S TEAM

The Administrator's Team is responsible for managing office-wide services and programs. Specific areas include Civil Rights, Finance, Office Management, Training Management, Program Coordination and Quality Coordination.

PLANNING & RIGHT-OF-WAY TEAM

The Planning and Right-of-Way Team consists of two specialized teams, which identify and deliver technical assistance and expertise in their respective areas to FHWA, Caltrans, MPO's, RTPA's, and Local Agencies. Follow these links for more in-depth Planning Team.

ENGINEERING SERVICES TEAM

The Engineering Services Team identifies and delivers the latest techniques and best practices within the following specialization areas: Structures, Hydraulics and Geotechnology, Research, and Technology Transfer, Intelligent Transportation Systems, Traffic Engineering, Safety, Traffic Operations, and Design.

FIELD OPERATIONS TEAM

The Field Operations Team provides coordination and management of all project-related preconstruction and construction activities throughout the State for non-exempt projects. They provide technical assistance and technology transfer to State and Local agencies and conduct value-added reviews of the use of design standards, improvements in safety and innovative construction techniques. Included in the Field Operations team are specialists in the areas of Construction, Maintenance and Contract Administration, as well as Pavements and Materials.

PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIROMENT TEAM

The Project Development and Environment Team provides coordination and management of all environmental activities throughout the State. They act as the focal point for projects during the project development phase. They provide technical assistance and improved environmental analysis that assures that technical reports are adequate and mitigation proposals are reasonable for State and Local agencies. The Environmental Program Coordinator is a member of this team and is responsible for overall Environmental Program activities.

LOS ANGELES FTA/FHWA METRO OFFICE

The Los Angeles Metro Office is a stand-alone operation, serving as an extension of both the FTA Region and the FHWA Division Offices for their respective program areas. The FTA activities include responsibilities related to Los Angeles bus and monorail operations in a 6,400 square mile area with 15 million residents. Planning activities include working with the Southern California Association of Governments and the Caltrans District offices. ITS activities involve the Southern California Priority Corridor Project, which reaches 130 miles south of Los Angeles to San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. Air Quality activities cover an area that stretches east nearly to Arizona.