THE US Federal Highway Administration has set a new goal to complete highway and bridge projects in half the time it takes today, said Administrator Victor Mendez.

Usually, completion times run 10 to 15 years, including a six-year eco review as well as nine years for planning, design and construction, reports American Shipper.

Under what is called the "Everyday Counts" initiative this would be speeded up, Mr Mendez told an American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials conference near Washington.

He said legal impediments need to be identified to see if they can be eliminated, but he also conceded there may be nothing that can be done - "but at least we've done what we can," he said.