New Special Experimental Project (SEP-16) To Evaluate Proposals for Delegation of Certain Program-Wide FHWA Responsibilities to States

The FHWA is establishing a new Special Experimental Project (SEP-16) to test and evaluate the delegation of program-level responsibilities of the Federal-aid highway program (FAHP) to States, including the appropriate steps States should take to request to exercise delegated authority. The FHWA anticipates there is interest in State assumption of program-level actions for approval of design standards, noise policies, preventative maintenance programs, and real property acquisitions and disposals. The term ``program-level actions'' in this context means decisions that apply generally to projects in a State and broadly affect the implementation of the Federal-aid highway program in the State, but excludes Federal decisions relating to eligibility, obligation, reimbursement, authorization, and compliance.