Who We Are

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is an agency within the U.S. Department of Transportation that supports State and local governments in the design, construction, and maintenance of the Nation’s highway system (Federal Aid Highway Program) and various federally and tribal owned lands (Federal Lands Highway Program). Through financial and technical assistance to State and local governments, the Federal Highway Administration is responsible for ensuring that America’s roads and highways continue to be among the safest and most technologically sound in the world.

See FHWA's Core Topics.

FHWA History

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was created on October 15, 1966, after having had several predecessor organizations.

In 1893, the Office of Road Inquiry was founded. In 1905 that organization's name was changed to the Office of Public Roads which became a division of the United States Department of Agriculture. The name was changed again to the Bureau of Public Roads in 1915 and to the Public Roads Administration in 1939. It was then shifted to the Federal Works Agency which was abolished in 1949 when its name reverted to Bureau of Public Roads under the Department of Commerce.

In 1966 the FHWA was created; and in 1967 the functions of the Bureau of Public Roads were transferred to FHWA.

Read more about Highway History.

Vision, Mission & Core Values

FHWA Vision

Our agency and our transportation system are the best in the world.

FHWA Mission

To improve mobility on our Nation's highways through national leadership, innovation, and program delivery.

Core Values

These are our core values that help us define our purpose and our mission:

• Public Service
  We are committed to the pursuit of professional excellence motivated by serving the public interest and providing high quality products and timely services.

• Integrity
  Ethics, fairness, and honesty define the way we do our work and conduct ourselves. We have the courage to be both innovative and make tough decisions.

• Respect
  We value individual diversity and the unique strengths, skills, expertise, and background of our employees. We treat others in a polite and courteous manner.

• Personal Development
  Through a wide variety of learning opportunities, we nurture the development and use of leadership, technical, and professional skills in all of our employees.

• Collaboration
  We maximize our collective talents through teamwork and partnerships based on mutual trust, respect, support, cooperation, and communication.

• Family
  We support, care about, listen to, and respond to employees and their family needs.