Highway Agency Wants States to Send It More Data
Published Date: 10/16/2026
Notice
Summary
The Federal Highway Administration wants your thoughts on a new info collection that asks States for data to help manage highway programs better. They know it might mean extra work but say it’s needed to keep things running smoothly. You’ve got until November 16, 2026, to share your ideas, so don’t miss out!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Large variance explanations required
If a State has a variance of $50 million and at least +/-20% in the quarterly grant accrual lookback, the State must provide FHWA with an explanation for the programs and projects that make up the variance. FHWA estimates approximately seven States will be required to provide variance explanations, with about ten explanations per quarter per affected State, totaling roughly 70 variance explanations reviewed each quarter.
States must complete new grants survey
Fifty State Departments of Transportation and the District of Columbia must respond to the new "Annual Grants State Survey & Quarterly Lookback Analysis." The survey is sent annually in the May/June timeframe with responses due in July/August, and the Lookback Analysis is collected quarterly. FHWA estimates an average burden of 5.32 hours per respondent per form and a total annual burden of 1,951.15 hours (271.15 hours for the annual survey and 1,680 hours for four quarterly lookbacks).
Data used to improve grant accounting and audits
FHWA will use the survey and quarterly lookback data to calculate quarterly grant accruals, compare accruals to subsequent quarter disbursements (lookback analysis), analyze payment trends, improve the grants process, provide reasonable estimates for grant liabilities and expenses, and support internal and external audits.
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Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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2026-19028, Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection
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