R&T Portfolio: Project Delivery
The Accelerating Project Delivery program explores strategies for Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) to expedite project delivery by studying modifications to environmental review, environmental permitting, and property acquisition.
Program Objectives:
- Study and reduce the regulatory burden of environmental review.
- Increase efficiency in the environmental review and permitting process.
- Increase the effectiveness and efficiency of acquisition and management of property interests for highway projects.
In conjunction with improved environmental impact analysis and modeling, FHWA is working to accelerate project delivery by studying regulatory reform, rulemaking, and guidance. Expedited permitting and guidance for environmental review will allow projects to be delivered more efficiently.
Spotlight Project: State Transportation Liaison Programs
Findings from the recently released FHWA Study on the Effectiveness and Benefits of Transportation Liaisons, show how liaisons contribute to accelerating project delivery by facilitating environmental reviews and permitting processes for transportation projects. Interviews with State departments of transportation (DOTs) and liaisons in nine States: (1) California, (2) Colorado, (3) Florida, (4) Minnesota, (5) North Carolina, (6) Ohio, (7) Pennsylvania, (8) South Carolina, and (9) Washington, highlight the benefits of transportation liaison programs as well as challenges encountered. “Many of the State liaison programs began in response to resolving specific issues, but over time have been integrated into State DOTs’ regular business practices and are seen today as "business as usual," according to the report. Key benefits of the programs include: building trust, creating efficient work processes to improve workflow, setting priorities, enhanced level of service, providing consistency and predictability for delivering programs, and creating familiarity with the State DOT. Despite the success of the liaisons some challenges remain but are being addressed by many State programs. Throughout the interview process, the study States made thirteen recommendations to assist those interested in establishing a liaison program.
The Accelerating Project Delivery research program supports analysis of the economic, environmental, and impacts of permitting reform.
Spotlight Project: Atlantic Salmon Programmatic Consultation
Part of the FHWA Eco-Logical Case Studies Series, the FHWA case study Example of Implementing Eco-Logical is the second year followup to the Atlantic Salmon Programmatic developed by FHWA and Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) that incorporated concepts from the Eco-Logical approach. The Atlantic Salmon Programmatic Consultation built on initial successes and continuing improvements in overall efficiency and review timelines. Not only has the programmatic consultation led to significant habitat restoration for the Atlantic salmon, but has also helped improve trust and cooperation among agencies, increased predictability, saved time and money, and improved the resiliency of completed projects. In year two, MaineDOT focused on ways to enhance the program and increase project coverage. The monitoring of completed projects has improved regulatory compliance and ensured beneficial environmental outcomes, while adaptive management has allowed MaineDOT and its partners to incorporate new information to adjust the program to meet efficiency and conservation goals. The In-Lieu Fee (ILF) program is another tool that can add further flexibility to the programmatic consultation process.
The Property Acquisition program element will develop methodologies and protocols to accelerate real estate acquisition for Federal-aid projects through flexible requirements.
Spotlight Project: Use of the Waiver Valuation Provision
The Office of Real Estate Services is sponsoring this state-of-the-practice research project to document the waiver valuation’s current use among acquiring agencies in the Federal and Federal-Aid Realty Programs, and identify potential regulatory revisions that might result in greater efficiencies.
Contact Us
Office of Planning, Environment, and Realty
U.S. Department of Transportation
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20003
United States
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Last updated: Monday, March 7, 2022