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PROJECT DEVELOPMENT MANUALChapter 4Project Design PhasesMay 14, 2019
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CHAPTER 4PROJECT DESIGN PHASESContentsPage4.1INTRODUCTION . 4-14.2DESIGN-RELATED APPROVALS. 4-14.2.1Responsibilities . 4-14.2.2Coordination between the Regional Office and Main Office Project Liaison . 4-94.2.3Submitting Requests to the Main Office Project Liaison . 4-94.3PROCEDURAL STEPS . 4-134.3.1CPM Scheduling Relationship . 4-134.3.2Introduction to Project Step Tables. 4-134.3.3Maintenance and Simple Project Steps . 4-184.3.4Moderate Project Steps . 4-364.3.5Complex Project Steps . 4-724.4CONCURRENT DESIGN PROGRESSION . 4-100APPENDIX A – List of Acronyms . 4-101APPENDIX B – Main Office Project Liaison and FHWA Review Process Flowcharts. 4-103APPENDIX C – Public Hearing Process Flowcharts . 4-110APPENDIX D – Procedural Steps for Individual Section 4(f) Evaluations . 4-117APPENDIX E – Instructions for Creating Searchable PDF Documents . 4-122iMay 2019
CHAPTER 4PROJECT DESIGN PHASESExhibitsPage4-1Main Office Liaison with FHWA .4-24-2Design-Related Approval Matrix.4-44-3Post-Design-Approval Matrix.4-74-4DCED Design-Related Approval Request Procedure .4-104-5FHWA Design-Related Approval Request Procedure .4-114-6Primary NEPA and NYSDOT Activities that Occur Within NYSDOT ScopingPhase.4-734-7Is MOPL Review Needed? .4-1044-8MOPL Review Process for DCED or FHWA Design Approval with NYSDOTCategorical Exclusion Determination .4-1054-9MOPL Review Process for FHWA Categorical Exclusion DeterminationReview and Regional Director Design Approval .4-1064-10MOPL Review Process for FHWA Categorical Exclusion DeterminationReview and DCED Design Approval.4-1074-11MOPL Review Process for FHWA Categorical Exclusion DeterminationReview and FHWA Design Approval .4-1084-12MOPL Review Process for FHWA EA Title Sheet Signature/FONSI Approval .4-1094-13NEPA Class II Moderate Project Public Hearing Process .4-1124-14NEPA Class III (NEPA EA) Public Hearing Process .4-1134-15NEPA Class I (EIS) Complex Project Public Hearing Process .4-1144-16100% State Funded SEQRA Non-Type II (EIS) Public Hearing Process .4-1154-17EDPL Public Hearing Process .4-116May 2019ii
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4.14-1INTRODUCTIONThis chapter summarizes the primary responsibilities and procedures to progress a projectthrough the design phases of the project development process (Preliminary Design Phases Ithrough IV and Final Design Phases V and VI) including the responsibilities and proceduresassociated with Design-Related Approvals. The design stage begins at scope approval and concludes at project letting. Chapter 2,Section 2.3.2 of this manual provides an overview of the Project Design Phases anddescriptions of the six design phases.Section 4.3 of this chapter provides steps that should be followed by designers todetermine which project alternative to advance to Design Approval (Phases I - IV) followedby the steps that transform the approved preliminary design concepts into detailed plansand specifications (Phases V and VI).The steps contain information that will direct the designer to appropriate chapters and appendicesof this manual for guidance on report format and content development; shells are available ign/dqab/pdm/shells for DAD development (i.e.,IPP/FDR, BRR, PSR/FDR, DDR). Detailed guidance and standards for specific design tasks arecontained in the Highway Design Manual, ROW Mapping Procedure Manual, Land SurveyingStandards and Procedures Manual, Bridge Manual, Environmental Manual, and other appropriateDepartment publications.The responsibilities and procedures presented in this chapter are for NYSDOT projects withfederal funding through FHWA and those that are 100% State funded. The responsibilities andprocedures for projects with involvement of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) or FederalRailroad Administration (FRA) must be determined on a project by project basis.4.2DESIGN-RELATED APPROVALSDesign-related approvals include: Environmental Determination (ED) Draft Design Report/Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DDR/DEIS) - approval todistribute for Phase II review Final Design Report/Final Environmental Impact Statement (FDR/FEIS) - approval tocirculate Environmental Assessment (EA) Title Sheet Signature Approval of Nonstandard Features Design Approval (required to proceed to detailed design phases V and VI) Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) approval Record of Decision (ROD) approval PS&E approval and amendment approval4.2.1ResponsibilitiesExhibits 4-2 and 4-3 identify the authorities responsible for granting various project approvalsthroughout the design stages. Exhibit 4-2 Design-related Approval Matrix identifies the approvingauthorities for Design Approval (DA), Environmental Determination and Non-Standard FeatureApproval. Exhibit 4-3 Post Design Approval Matrix identifies the approving authorities forMay 2019
4-2PROJECT DESIGN PHASESapprovals occurring after DA. The authority for the various project design phase approvals restswith FHWA, NYSDOT (Regional Office or Main Office), NYS Thruway Authority, NYS CanalCorporation or the Responsible Local Official (RLO) depending on the administering agency,funding source, estimated construction cost, project type, environmental classification, andwhether the project is a FHWA Project of Division Interest (PoDI) on the National Highway System(NHS).Exhibit 4-1, Main Office Project Liaison (MOPL) with FHWA/DCEDFederal-Aid Project Types Covered by PDM1MOPL with FHWA orDCED - Phases I - IVEIS and designated special projectsOEBridge rehabilitation projects: deck treatments, deckreplacements, superstructure replacements, and generalbridge rehabilitationOSHighway reconstruction/new constructionDQAB-PDSIntersection or interchange reconstruction/new constructionDQAB-PDSResurfacing, restoration and rehabilitation (3R)DQAB-PDSNew and replacement bridgesDQAB-PDSPark and ride lotsDQAB-PDSBicycle and pedestrian facilitiesLABRest areas/information centers/comfort stations/LABLandscape developmentLABFishing and hiking accessLABIntelligent Transportation System (ITS) projects2ITSUSpecialty, Safety or Enhancement projectsVaries with type of work 3Local ProjectsRLPLMOPL with FHWA –Phases V-VIDQAB-PS&ERLPLDQAB–PDS: Design Quality Assurance Bureau, Project Development Section for Phase I-IV approvalsDQAB-PS&E: Design Quality Assurance Bureau, Plans, Specifications &Estimate Section for PS&E approvalsOE – Office of EnvironmentOS – Office of StructuresLAB – Landscape Architecture BureauITSU – ITS Unit, Systems Optimization BureauRLPL – Regional Local Project LiaisonNOTES:1 For project types not identified, contact DQAB, Project Development Section for guidance.2 The Design Approval Document (DAD) for ITS projects and for non-ITS projects with ITS elements must besubmitted to the Main Office ITS Unit for review and to obtain FHWA’s review and approval of the ITS-relatedportions of the DAD.3 Specialty, safety or enhancement projects that include work that would require DCED or FHWA approvalmust use the MOPL identified for the most applicable Federal-Aid Project Type. Contact DQAB, ProjectDevelopment Section for guidance.May 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-3Note that other approvals may be required within the process. Follow the procedural steps inSection 4.3 of this chapter to help determine these approvals, or contact DQAB, ProjectDevelopment Section for guidance.Exhibit 4-1 identifies the Main Office Project Liaisons (MOPL) by project type. The MOPL servesas the point of contact between NYSDOT and FHWA for projects that need environmentaldetermination and/or design approval4.2.1.1Regional Office ResponsibilitiesDesign-Related Approvals granted by the Regional DirectorFor applicable projects, the Regional Director (RD) is the granting authority for design-relatedapprovals in accordance with NYSDOT Official Order No. 1658. Refer to Exhibits 4-2 and 4-3 todetermine project types that have Regional Director (RD) design-related approval authority.The responsibility for quality control activities on design submissions resides with the Regions.The Regional Quality Control Plan (see PDM Appendix 12 for information) and Regional policiesand procedures should be followed when requesting design-related approvals from the RegionalDirector.Design-Related Approvals granted by the DCED or the FHWAFor projects that need design-related approvals from the DCED or the FHWA, the Regional Officeworks through a Main Office Project Liaison (MOPL) to obtain the approvals. The responsibilityfor quality control activities on design documents resides with the Regions (see PDM Appendix 12for information). Requests for design-related approvals to the DCED or FHWA are made by theMOPL after a quality assurance review.Refer to Exhibits 4-2 and 4-3 to determine projects that require DCED or FHWA design-relatedapproval authority. Refer to Exhibit 4-1 to identify the appropriate MOPL. Contact DQAB, ProjectDevelopment Section for questions about identifying the appropriate MOPL.PS&E and Amendment Approvals granted by the RD and the FHWADepending upon the project’s PoDI category, PS&Es and Amendments on some projects (refer toExhibit 4-3) require separate approvals by the RD or FHWA. The responsibility for quality controlactivities on design submissions resides with the Regions (see PDM Appendix 12 for information).Regions should follow their Regional Quality Control Plan and Regional policies and proceduresfor approval from the Regional Director. When the project requires PS&E approval from theFHWA, Regions should clearly indicate that on the PS&E transmittal memo (see Highway DesignManual Chapter 21). DQAB PS&E Section, will then obtain FHWA approval for the PS&E.May 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-4Exhibit 4-2, DESIGN-RELATED APPROVAL MATRIXFundingHighwaySystemProjectAdministered by24Project Type1,2PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria Estimated Construction Cost 104,5 million - Regions 1-9 & NYSTA/CC(e.g., 3R, 4R, Reconstruction and New Construction, New Bridges, BridgeRehab, and Bridge Reconstruction Projects) Estimated Construction Cost 254,5 million - Regions 10 & 11(e.g., 3R, 4R, Reconstruction and New Construction, New Bridges, BridgeRehab, and Bridge Reconstruction Projects) Freeways on New Location EIS Projects Sub-Major Projects ( 100 - 500 million)6 Major Projects ( 500 million)6 Interstate Designation Projects Proposed Interstate Access Break or Modification Major and unusual Structures7 Projects Funded with ADHS or TIGER Funds Discretionary PoDIs identified by YSCCMOPL9FHWALocalLocal RLO25NHS FHWAFHWA/RDFHWARLOLD10/ ANYSCCNYSCCLocalLocal Some work on or related to the State Highway System13 All work off and unrelated to the State HighwayNYSDOTNYSDOT All Other Project Types (Note 5)System13IF a non-NHS projects meets the PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria aboveNon-NHS2NEPADesign Approval Request MemoProgrammatically Delegated Projects (Projects Not Meeting the PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria listed above) Freeway 2R/3R Reconstruction and New Construction Major Intersection Reconstruction New & Replacement Bridges (including Pedestrian andardFeatureApprovalDCED8RLO25Local NHS RDRD8RLO25Local NHS EN consultation between NYSDOT (RPPM or RDE), NYSTA or NYSCC and FHWA shall occur at close of project scoping to determine theappropriate level of FHWA’s involvement. Discussion topics to include scope, schedule, cost, location, etc. Reconstruction and New Construction Major Intersection Reconstruction New & Replacement Bridges (including Pedestrian Bridges)NYSDOTDCED8 All Other Project Types (Note 5)NYSDOTRD8NYSTANYSTA8NYSCCNYSCC15LocalLocal RLO25NHS/State RDNYSTANYSTA8NYSCCNYSCC15LocalRLO Some work on or related to the State Highway System13 All work off and unrelated to the State Highway OLD10RLORLO12May 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-5Exhibit 4-2, DESIGN-APPROVAL MATRIX – CONTINUEDHighwaySystemFundingProjectAdministered by24Project reApproval Exempt19 and Low-Risk19 Some work on or related to the State Highway System13 All work off and unrelated to the State Highway System13FederalAidITS/OperationsProjects19 High-Risk19 Projects types listed in the PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria above Freeway 2R/3R Reconstruction and New Construction Major Intersection Reconstruction New & Replacement Bridges (including Pedestrian Bridges) Interstate Access Modifications and Breaks in Interstate Access (theseprojects require a NEPA document – see note 22)100% StateAll All Other Project Types Some work on or related to the State HighwaySystem13 All work off and unrelated to the State Highway System13Key to calLocal RLO25NHS/State HWARLOLD10/ /RDDesign Approval Request MemoLocalLocal NHS YSCCSee Note 23DCED - NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer DesignCE - Categorical ExclusionRD - NYSDOT Regional DirectorMOPL - NYSDOT Main Office Project LiaisonROD - Record of DecisionFHWA - Federal Highway AdministrationNHS - National Highway SystemDONSE - Determination of No Significant EffectState Highway System – allPLAFAP - NYSDOT Proceduresroadways owned and/or maintainedfor Locally Administered Federalby NYSDOT (excludes the ThruwayAid Projects manualsystem)SOA – Stewardship and Oversight Agreement on Project Assumption andProgram oversight by and between Federal Highway Administration andthe New York State Department of TransportationNYSCC - CanalCorporationRLO - Responsible Local Official as defined in PLAFAP Chapter 1 Section 1.6(e.g., mayor, town supervisor, county executive, chair of county board ofsupervisors, state agency commissioner, etc.)NYSTA – Thruway AuthorityLD - Local DesignerPoDI – FHWA Project of Division InterestMay 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-6Exhibit 4-2, DESIGN-APPROVAL MATRIX – CONTINUEDFootnotes:1) Project types are defined in PDM Appendix 5, Section 2.0.2) FHWA may select any project as a discretionary PoDI, regardless of highway system or discretionary screening criteria (MAP-21 SOA Attachment C Table 2). If selected, projects will follow the appropriate process from the PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria.3) NEPA categorical exclusion determination by FHWA or NYSDOT as determined by the Federal Environmental Approvals Worksheet (FEAW).4) Estimated construction cost based on current Engineer's Estimate (total cost including local (including betterment shares), state, and federal funds). If at PS&E cost estimates exceed the thresholds, FHWA may require a review of the project prior toproviding approval to advertise.5) RD retains approval authority for all 1R, element specific, VPP, sign replacement, Type II (retrofit) noise abatement, rest area, pavement marking, and guide rail replacement projects regardless of cost. An approved copy of the DAD for rest areaprojects shall be submitted to the Landscape Architecture Bureau for information purposes. An approved copy of the DAD for element specific projects shall be submitted to the Design Quality Assurance Bureau Project Development Section (highwayprojects) or Structures Design Q/A Bureau (structures projects) for information purposes. For a full list of element specific work types, refer to PDM Appendix 7, Exhibits 7-4 and 7-5.6) Estimated costs to complete design, right-of-way, and construction stages.7) This project category includes tunnels and the following bridge types: pre-cast segmental, cable-stayed, suspension, and movable. It also includes the four major East River Bridges and the East River Bridge Preventative Maintenance contracts in NewYork City.8) For projects that propose new or retained non-standard features (NSFs) on more than one system, the Design Approval Grantor (FHWA, DCED, RD or NYSTA) will approve NSFs on the NHS and the DCED or RD will approve NSFs on State highwaysand local roadways.9) The MOPL for the various project types is shown in PDM Exhibit 4-1 (e.g., DQAB, Office of Structures, ITSU, etc.). For EIS Projects, the Office of the Environment is the MOPL, with DQAB performing engineering reviews.10) Approval must be based on a request memo that includes certification by the licensed professional whose field of practice is consistent with the work type and is in responsible charge of the project.11) The RLO must send a cover memo to the Regional Local Project Liaison (see PLAFAP for an example). The Regional Local Project Liaison will forward the Design Approval Request Memo to the Regional Director (or designee) for his or her approval,or to the Regional Director (or designee) for forwarding to FHWA for their approval.12) See PLAFAP for an example of the Design Approval Request memo.13) Thruway projects that include work over the State Highway System must be submitted to NYSDOT for review and concurrence with design criteria of the under roadway (including horizontal and vertical clearance) prior to the granting of design approval.14) The NYSTA Chief Engineer shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer.15) For projects that propose new or retained non-standard features (NSF) on more than one system, the NYSCC will approve NSF on the canal system, the DCED or RD will approve NSF on the NHS and State highways and local roadways.16) The NYSCC Deputy Director of Canal Engineering, Construction & Maintenance shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer.17) The NYSTA Chief Engineer shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT Regional Director.18) The NYSCC Deputy Director of Canal Engineering, Construction & Maintenance shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT Regional Director.19) All ITS projects are to be presented to the FHWA Division Office for approval of a preliminary determination of project type in the following three categories: Exempt, Low-Risk, and High-Risk projects. (see Attachments C.1, C.2, C.3 and C.4 of theFHWA/NYSDOT Stewardship and Oversight Agreement for review request to be submitted to FHWA at the initial funding stage.)20) The NYSTA Chief Engineer shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT MOPL (ITS Unit, Systems Optimization Bureau).21) The NYSCC Deputy Director of Canal Engineering, Construction & Maintenance shall be responsible for granting design approval upon recommendation from the NYSDOT MOPL (ITS Unit, Systems Optimization Bureau).22) FHWA must review and approve all Interstate Access Modification Reports for all projects that include Interstate access modification or breaks in Interstate access. A NEPA document is required for all projects including an Interstate AccessModification.23) On 100% State projects that do not require FHWA or other federal action, NYSDOT does not follow the NEPA process. However, when the project requires the granting of a permit or approval or other action by a federal agency (e.g., Corps permit,FHWA ROW approval), that agency is required to follow the appropriate NEPA process. In such cases, the Region may be required to submit additional information to the federal agency in support of the agency's NEPA requirements.24) For the purposes of this matrix, “Project Administered by” is the entity letting the Project.25) For Locally Administered projects that propose new or retained non-standard features (NSFs) on more than one system, the RD will approve NSFs on the NHS and the RLO will approve NSF on local roadways.May 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-7Exhibit 4-3, POST-DESIGN-APPROVAL MATRIXPoDI Type1Category I:Full Federal involvementIn All PhasesCategory II:Detailed Design / ContractDocument Review and ApprovalOnlyCategory III:Spot Check Construction ReviewCategory IV:No Further Federal InvolvementDelegated Projects7100% State Funded ProjectsPoDI Type1Category I:Full Federal involvementCategory II:Detailed Design / ContractDocument Review and ApprovalOnlyCategory III:Spot Check Construction ReviewCategory IV:No Further Federal InvolvementDelegated Projects7100% State Funded ProjectsKey to Abbreviations:ProjectAdministeredby9NYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCDesign TA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalProjectAdministered by9NYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or CCLocalNYSDOTNYSTA or rocurement ActionsConstruction ActionsAdvancedDetail PlansReviewRight of WayProjectionsConcurrencePS&EApprovalMajor rtisementConcur inAwardApproveOOCsApprove timeExtensionsConcur inSettlement AFHWAFHWAFHWAFHWAFHWAFHWANYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4RD4RD4RD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4NYSDOT6NYSTA or CC6RD4,6NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4NYSDOT6NYSTA or CC4RD4,6NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4NYSDOT6NYSTA or CC4RD4,6NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4NYSDOT6NYSTA or CC4RD4,6NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD4NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4FHWAFHWARDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4FHWAFHWAFHWANYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4Sub-Major Projects( 100- 500 million)FHWAFHWAFHWARDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4FHWAFHWAFHWADesign-Build Actionsin Accordance with Legislative Authority of Project SponsorMajor Projects Actions ( 500 million)Approve Initial/UpdatedFinance PlansSubmitted by Project SponsorApproveConsultantAgreementsApprove ProjectManagement PlanApprove InitialFinance PlanConduct CostEstimate ReviewApprove UpdatedFinance PlansConcur onRequest forQualificationsApprove onRequest forProposalsConcur in HWARDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD4RDNYSTA or CCRD/RLO4,8NYSDOTNYSTA or CCRLO4FHWAFHWAFHWAFHWANYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTFHWA - Federal Highway AdministrationPoDI - FHWA Project of Division InterestNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTDCED - NYSDOT Deputy Chief Engineer DesignNYSTA – Thruway AuthorityNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTNYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTRD - NYSDOT Regional DirectorCC – Canal CorporationRLO - Responsible Local Official as defined in PLAFAP Chapter 1 Section 1.6 (e.g., mayor, town supervisor, county executive, chair ofcounty board of supervisors, state agency commissioner, etc.)NYSDOTNYSTA or CCNYSDOTSEP-14 – FHWA Special Experimental Project No. 14, Alternative ContractingSOA – Stewardship and Oversight Agreement on Project Assumption and Programoversight by and between Federal Highway Administration and the New York StateDepartment of TransportationMay 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4-8Exhibit 4-3, POST-DESIGN-APPROVAL MATRIX (CONTINUED)Footnotes:1) FHWA may select any project as a discretionary PoDI, regardless of highway system per the discretionary screening criteria (MAP-21 SOA Attachment C Table 2).2) Interstate Access Modification approval for all projects (including 100% State funded projects) occurs at or after time of design approval.3) Alternate procurement methods other than Design-Bid-Build or Design-Build (e.g. Best value, Public Private Partnership, etc.) for federally funded projects require SEP-14 approvals.4) Approval must be based on a request memo that includes certification by the licensed professional whose field of practice is consistent with the work type and is in responsible charge of the project.5) Non-Interstate Access Modifications are approved by the NYSDOT DCED or RD (as shown) for all NHS roadways and all non-NHS roadways on the State Highway System. Non-Interstate Access modifications on non-NHS roadways off and unrelatedto the State Highway System are approved by the Responsible Local Official.6) For Category III PoDIs FHWA will conduct a spot check review during construction. Subsequent follow up construction reviews may be conducted as necessary, pending findings from the spot check review.7) Delegated Projects are Federal Aid projects not requiring design approval from FHWA based on PoDI Pre-Screening Criteria nor due to being selected by FHWA as a discretionary PoDI.8) The grantor of design approval will approve Locally Sponsored Federal Aid projects that are Programmatically Delegated.9) For the purposes of this matrix, “Project Administered by” is the entity letting the Project.May 2019
PROJECT DESIGN PHASES4.2.1.24-9Main Office Project Liaison ResponsibilitiesWhen Design-related Approvals are required from the DCED or the FHWA, the MOPL will seekthese approvals on behalf of the Region, after performing a Quality Assurance Review of theDAD, PS&E and/or other required supporting materials.In all quality assurance reviews, the MOPL evaluates compliance with design standards andproject development procedures (control documents identified in Appendix 12 Section 2.4), aswell as procedures for NEPA, SEQRA, Executive Orders and other provisions of State andFederal Law. They may also recommend improvements to the design, documentation, or process.Once MOPL comments have been satisfactorily addressed, the MOPL makes a formal request forapproval.4.2.2Coordination between the Regional Office and Main Office Project LiaisonPhases I-IVEarly and consistent involvement by the MOPL during the project’s development, particularly oncomplex and moderate projects or other projects with unusual circumstances, helps expediteobtaining design-related approvals. The Region may initiate a peer review by the MOPL prior toseeking a design-related approval. See Appendix 12 of this Manual: Quality Control and QualityAssurance - Section 2.8.The design-related approval request is initiated by the Region. In most cases, the DesignApproval Document (DAD) and Design Report Review Checklist serve as supporting material forthe approval request.The flowcharts in Appendix B illustrate coordination steps to design approval required
funding source, estimated construction cost, project type, environmental classification, and whether the project is a FHWA Project of Division Interest (PoDI) on the National Highway System (NHS). Exhibit 4-1, Main Office Project Liaison (MOPL) with FHWA/DCED . Federal-Aid Project Types Covered by PDM1. MOPL with FHWA or DCED - Phases I - IV
