National Director
Transportation Environmental Programs
HDR Engineering, Inc.
New York, New York
Planning Director
Transportation Environmental Programs
HDR Engineering, Inc.
New York, New York
Environmental concerns play a major role in the planning, design, construction, rehabilitation, and maintenance of highways. This chapter provides an overview of the major environmental concerns affecting highway projects and includes a summary of the federal environmental statutes, regulations, policies, and guidance material that must be addressed in their development.
Included is a detailed discussion of the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), 42 USC §4321 et seq., the key federal environmental statute affecting the development of highway projects. Provided is a thorough description of the process and substance required to prepare environmental documents under NEPA, including environmental assessments (EA) and environmental impact statements (EIS).
This chapter also includes a summary of the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements governing the planning and development of highway projects included in the Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient, Transportation Equity Act—A Legacy for Users (Public Law 109-59, “SAFETEA-LU”), and Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 (Title 49 USC §1653(f), “Section 4(f)”). Also provided is an overview of the major federal resource-specific environmental legislation and regulations not under the jurisdiction of DOT that highway planners and engineers must address during project development.
The chapter concludes with a thorough discussion of alternative means to remove lead — based paint from steel bridge structure, and the potential use of waste material in the construction and maintenance of highways, including the recycling of hazardous wastes within highway projects.
