On December 14^th, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued over $52 billion in federal highway contract authority for FY22 in accordance with the increased funding levels provided for by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). These allocations will give state and local departments of transportation the ability to plan for the rest of FY22. However, due to a provision in the continuing resolutions adopted to keep the government open during the Congressional gridlock on a full-year government funding measure, these funds cannot be spent on any projects not provided for in FY21. Congress must pass a full government funding bill to unlock the obligation of these funds for new projects.