Enhanced Review of Select Roadway Projects
Please note: Only cities and counties in metropolitan areas are required to follow this process.
This section identifies the requirements associated with authorizing certain roadway expansion projects and is based on requirements in OAR 660-012-0830: Enhanced Review of Select Roadway Projects. “Authorization” in this context means that the jurisdiction with planning authority has approved a project to move forward. This typically means inclusion of the project in the unconstrained and/or financially-constrained project list of the updated TSP after following steps and criteria outlined in OAR 660-012-0830. The enhanced review process can take place during a TSP or in advance of a TSP. The enhanced review process can be led by any jurisdiction (ODOT, county, or city); however, the local jurisdiction (city or county with planning authority) needs to authorize the report, including those for projects on state owned facilities.
The enhanced review process is not a prohibition on roadway projects. The process prompts local agencies to develop and evaluate alternatives to roadway projects to determine if they could substantially meet the identified need without implementation of the roadway projects. Furthermore, the process is designed to provide governing bodies with essential information, enabling them to make well-informed decisions regarding transportation investments. It is a local decision if these projects move forward into a TSP.
Enhanced Review is required for the following types of projects:
- A new or extended arterial street (wider than 3-lanes) highway, freeway, or bridge carrying general purpose vehicle traffic;
- New or expanded interchanges;
- An increase in the number of general purpose travel lanes for any existing arterial or collector street, highway, or freeway; or
- New or extended auxiliary lanes with a total length of one-half mile or more
There are exceptions for projects that have advanced beyond planning and have dedicated funding or have a NEPA decision.
The authorization of a project after the Enhanced Review process is a local decision.
Enhanced Review is NOT required for the following types of projects:
- Expected to have a capital cost of less than $5 million;
- Changes the allocation of right-of-way or dedicates additional right of way to provide more space for pedestrian, bicycle, transit, or high-occupancy vehicle facilities only;
- Includes facilities with no more than one general purpose travel lane in each direction, with or without one turn lane;
- Implements changes to intersections that do not increase the number of lanes, including implementation of a roundabout;
- Implements access management, including the addition or extension of medians; Implements modifications necessary to address safety needs; or
- Implements operational changes, including changes to signals, signage, striping, surfacing, or intelligent transportation systems.
This flow chart is intended to help determine if a project is subject to the enhanced review process per OAR 660-012-0830.
This flow chart outlines the steps involved in an enhanced review process per OAR 660-012-0830.
