Chicago, Feb 28 (AP) President Donald Trump's administration is backing off its demand for an extra layer of federal scrutiny whenever states seek even minor changes to their transportation plans, after the rescinded requirement sparked concern that some payments for roads, bridges and transit would be delayed or even halted due to policy differences.

Most of the federal money used for transportation projects flows to states almost automatically through formulas established by Congress that consider population and other factors. For decades, states have enjoyed widespread autonomy to set their own priorities and spend the funds on projects they deem as most worthy.

Also Read | Princeton Shocker: Former College Soccer Player Matthew Hertgen Kills Brother and Eats His Eye, Sets Cat On Fire Before Calling Cops in New Jersey.

But under the policy the administration put in place last week and reversed this week, no additional money was to be allocated until lawyers in the US Department of Transportation's Washington headquarters signed off on any changes.

Such amendments to state transportation plans were already subject to a federal review, but it was usually a swift process from a regional office to confirm they didn't violate any US laws.

Also Read | Ramadan 2025 Date in UAE: Moon Sighted, Ramzan To Start From March 1, Know Significance of the Holy Month.

State transportation departments learned of the reversal Friday through an email from Joung Lee, deputy director and chief policy officer for the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials.

Lee said the Trump administration had confirmed that the review process was being returned to the regional level without the need for lawyers in Washington to sign off.

“As this remains a continuing development, we will keep you posted on any further updates,” Lee wrote.

The US Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration didn't respond to emails seeking details about why the headquarters-level review was implemented and later reversed.

The Association of Metropolitan Planning Organisations, which represents organizations that oversee local and regional transportation projects that get federal funding, told its members last week that at least six states had reported learning about an anticipated pause in getting their plans approved due to the extra review.

“In areas with large-scale projects or narrow construction windows, even short delays can cascade into prolonged setbacks, increased project costs, and missed opportunities to address critical transportation needs,” AMPO said in the memo.

AMPO followed up the next day with new information from the Federal Highway Administration, which confirmed there was an ongoing administrative review of the projects, but that “there is no pause.”

Even something as minor as adding or removing lanes of a road, or changes in cost estimates or supplies, could have required a federal review.

Advocates for transportation projects said the sheer volume of projects had spurred concerns that much-needed federal funding would be delayed even as many states are set to enter construction season.

“You're having to get approval from an office that didn't have to approve things before," said Steve Davis, vice president of transportation policy for Smart Growth America, a nonprofit that advocates for safer streets and other community improvement efforts. "I don't see any way that this does not slow down and delay projects.”

The metropolitan planning organisation in Chicago alone, for example, sends about eight amendments a year to its transportation improvement plan, and each includes about 300 different projects. That is just one of 410 management planning organisations across the country that set their own plans and seek amendments to them throughout the year. (AP)

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)