ODOT’s process of pushing projects and reducing environmental issues becomes standard.
The Oregon Department of Transportation’s successful process of accelerating projects and reducing environmental concerns has allowed the agency to drive 365 bridge projects in 12 years.
ODOT will use the same process to speed up future projects, mandated by law.
The Jobs and Transportation Act, passed by the 2009 state Legislature, requires ODOT to use the collaborative process the department pioneered a decade ago. The process began after Northwest salmon runs were listed under the federal Endangered Species Act.
“That had a pretty profound impact on our ability to deliver projects,” said Hal Gard, ODOT’s Geo-Environmental Section manager. “With the salmon listing, just about any project that touched water had an ESA nexus.”
Read the full story at the Daily Journal of Commerce.
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