FHWAFinal Rule

Statewide and Nonmetropolitan Planning; Metropolitan Transportation Planning

TransportationEnvironment

Summary

This federal regulation updates how states and cities plan and fund transportation projects like roads, highways, and public transit. It ensures that transportation planning considers economic growth, the environment, and community needs while allowing flexibility for different regions.

Key Points

  • 1Updates planning requirements for how states and local governments decide which transportation projects to build and fund
  • 2Affects state transportation departments, city planners, and public transit agencies that must follow these new planning guidelines
  • 3Requires transportation plans to consider impacts on the environment, air quality, and community development
  • 4Gives nonmetropolitan (rural) areas more tailored planning options compared to large metro areas
  • 5Changes how transportation projects are evaluated and prioritized before construction begins

Impact Assessment

If you are a state or local transportation planner, this means you must update your transportation planning processes to align with new federal requirements for considering economic growth, environmental impacts, and community needs in project funding and approval decisions.

Impact Level
Significant
Geographic Scope

National

Compliance Cost

Moderate

Who is Affected
State GovernmentsTransportation CompaniesManufacturersSmall Businesses

Key Dates

Published

June 3, 2025

Regulatory Connections

Amends CFR Sections
23 CFR Part 450

This summary is for informational purposes only. It may not capture all nuances of the regulation. Always refer to the official text for authoritative information.