Project delivery and environmental streamlining
MAP-21 rulemaking proposes project delivery and environmental streamlining provisions, which would increase the number of categorical exclusion groups. Two proposed categorical exclusions are identified through the proposed rulemaking:
- Applies to projects, as defined in section 101(a) of title 23, U.S.C., that occur within an existing operational right-of-way,
- Applies to projects that receive less than $5,000,000 of Federal funds or with a total estimated cost of not more than $30,000,000 and Federal funds comprising less than 15 percent of the total estimated project cost
The expansion of categorical exclusions is expected to minimally impact MnDOT as 90-99% of MnDOT projects already are categorized as CE; however, it is anticipated that the streamlining will provide some benefit.