128.10 Conceptual Study Report Approval and Submittal

The district engineer has the authority to approve all project specific details for projects that meet the requirements to use a conceptual study report, 3R conceptual study report or 4R conceptual study report. For projects requiring a location study/environmental report, the approval and submittal requirements are described in EPG 127. This approval by the district engineer is contingent upon the approval of any design exceptions by the State Design Engineer or approval by the FHWA.

All projects designated for federal involvement for conceptual reports on the PODI Matrix require approval of the conceptual study report by the FHWA. For these projects, the conceptual study report, regardless of the format, and any requested design exceptions are submitted to FHWA.

The submittal of a 4R conceptual report to FHWA is a specialized case. All other conceptual study reports are submitted to Design. For projects designated for federal involvement for design exceptions on the PODI Matrix, upon approval of the design exceptions by the State Design Engineer, Design will send a transmittal letter and necessary information to FHWA for review and approval of all design exceptions pertaining to the controlling criteria, as described in EPG 131. Upon receipt of FHWA approval, the Design Division will inform the district to proceed with the design of the project and forward a copy of the approval action and signed design exceptions.

Projects not listed for federal involvement for design exceptions on the PODI matrix and design exceptions not related to the controlling criteria, as described in EPG 131, do not require direct federal oversight and therefore are not submitted to FHWA for approval. The district engineer may approve the conceptual study report, 3R conceptual study report, or 4R conceptual study report for these projects. A copy of these reports is forwarded to Design. For those projects where a design exception is required the district engineer’s approval is also necessary. The district must submit a copy of the approved design exception to Design.

In both of these situations, the district will provide Design and Construction and Materials a copy of the approved conceptual study report.