Finance (Vivian Gutierrez)

The Federal-Aid Highway Program is a reimbursable program; that is, the Federal Government only reimburses States for costs actually incurred. Funding for highway projects are drawn from the Highway Trust Fund which was created in 1956. Revenue for the Trust Fund is derived from dedicated highway user fees such as taxes on fuel, tires, and truck sales. Trust fund monies are distributed or "apportioned" to the States according to formulas written into "authorizing" legislation by Congress. These formulas are based on various factors including cost to complete the Interstate System, lane miles, vehicle miles of travel, population, historic levels of funding, and the States’ share of receipts into the Highway Trust Fund.

The Puerto Rico & US Virgin Islands Division provides reimbursement to the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the Government of US Virgin Islands for authorized transportation projects in accordance with the legislative requirements of financial assistance programs. We administer these programs through a set of flexible regulations, policies, and guidelines to ensure that Federal funds are being used efficiently and to achieve the safety, economic development, and other goals of the Federal-aid Highway Program. In providing these Federal funds, we apply the most flexible and innovative financing techniques permissible under the law, and the most efficient administrative processes. We provide the State and Territories with technical assistance on accounting and financial management systems, and through our innovative program delivery tools, work closely with the Puerto Rico Highways & Transportation Authority (PRHTA ), USVI Department of Public Works, and Public Facilities to streamline and improve the funding of Federal-aid highway projects.