### Question
What does initial construction mean?


### Answer
**Initial construction** has the following meaning in *23 U.S.C. § 129*:

> the construction of a highway, bridge, or tunnel at any time before it is open to traffic and does not include any improvement to a highway, bridge, or tunnel after it is open to traffic

#### Citation:
  - *23 U.S.C. § 129*
  - Heading: **CHAPTER 1-FEDERAL-AID HIGHWAYS**

