Sources: Federal Highway Administration; CP staff
Effective October 28, Federal Highway Administration is lifting U.S. Department of Transportation regulations greatly limiting state contracting agencies from using federal dollars to acquire patented or proprietary materials, products or services for road and bridge work.
“This much-needed update of a century-old, obsolete rule will benefit state transportation infrastructure projects and save millions of taxpayer dollars,” affirms Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
The rule, adds FHWA Administrator Nicole Nason, “promotes innovation by empowering states to choose which state-of-the-art materials, tools, and products best meet their needs for the construction and upkeep of America’s transportation infrastructure.”