Transportation Liaison Resources

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Environmental Review Toolkit

Initiatives to Accelerate Project Delivery

Eco-Logical

Eco-Logical Report

Every Day Counts

Planning and Environment Linkages (PEL)

Programmatic Agreements

SHRP2 C19 Expediting Project Delivery

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Publications

Establishing a Transportation Liaison Program - A How-To Guide for Agencies Interested in Getting Started (September 2021)
Study on the Effectiveness and Benefits of Transportation Liaisons (July 2019)
State Transportation Liaison Funded Positions Study (October 2009)
An AASHTO Center for Environmental Excellence Report on DOT-Funded Positions and Other Support to Resource and Regulatory Agencies, Tribes, and Non-Governmental Organizations for Environmental Stewardship and Streamlining Initiatives (May 2005)

FHWA Initiatives

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL): A collaborative and integrated approach to transportation decision-making that considers environmental, community, and economic goals early in the planning process and uses that information to inform the environmental review process.
Eco-Logical: A landscape-scale approach for planning and developing infrastructure projects that brings together infrastructure, resource, and regulatory agencies, and others, to form strong partnerships and accelerate project delivery while advancing environmental conservation and protection.
The Second Strategic Highway Research Program’s Expediting Project Delivery: A product aimed at accelerating planning and environmental review processes for transportation projects. It identifies 24 strategies for addressing or avoiding 16 common constraints to accelerating project delivery. Funding liaison positions is one of the strategies.
Every Day Counts (EDC): EDC is a State-based model that identifies and rapidly deploys proven, yet underutilized innovations to shorten the project delivery process, enhance roadway safety, reduce traffic congestion, and improve environmental sustainability. Proven innovations promoted through EDC facilitate greater efficiency at the State and local levels, saving time, money, and resources that can be used to deliver more projects.
NEPA Assignment: The Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program, enacted under the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, describes the assignment of U.S. DOT environmental responsibilities under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other environmental laws. FHWA’s NEPA Assignment website includes copies of each NEPA Assignment State’s agreement and contains other relevant information related to the program.
Section 4(f) Tutorial: This tutorial is designed to help transportation professionals and other interested individuals understand the fundamental requirements of Section 4(f), which helps to preserve publicly owned public parks and recreation areas, waterfowl and wildlife refuges, and historic sites considered to have national, state, or local significance.

Accelerating Project Delivery

Programmatic Agreements (PAs): PAs and other programmatic approaches establish more accelerated processes for handling routine environmental requirements for commonly encountered project types. PAs usually set procedures for consultation, review, and compliance with one or more federal laws, but they can also address tribal, state, and local laws. FHWA has extensively promoted PAs through initiatives, such as EDC, and regular environmental program implementation.

Legislation and Guidance

FHWA’s BIL website: FHWA’s website dedicated to information and implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL).
FHWA’s FAST Act Implementation website: FHWA’s website dedicated to implementation of the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act).
FHWA’s Office of Project Development and Environmental Review FAST Act site: Information on the FAST Act specifically related to accelerating project delivery.
2006 Liaison Guidance: 2006 interagency guidance related to the establishment of funded liaison positions.

Liaison Agreements

If you have questions, would like to request additional resources, or would like to share an additional resource for consideration, please contact: LiaisonCOP@dot.gov.