4.8 Geometric Schematic Review and Approval

Once the geometric schematic has been through reviews by the District review team and VE workshops (as applicable) and public meetings/hearings have occurred, the geometric schematic can be sent to DES for review.
DES should review schematics for all projects on Interstate and those in which a project’s TxDIP Stewardship & Oversight Plan (TxDIP S&O Plan) identifies that the project’s schematic is to be reviewed by FHWA
. For schematics identified in a TxDIP S&O Plan that require FHWA review, Districts should submit those schematics to DES for review. DES will review those schematics prior to submitting them to FHWA for review. DES will review all other schematics upon request by the District. The District approves all schematics, unless approval authority is otherwise noted in a TxDIP S&O Plan.
FHWA sometimes reviews schematics associated with an IAJR or an Interstate design exception. The District does not approve IAJRs or Interstate design exceptions, but schematics associated with those documents are still approved by the District.
Based upon comments from DES and FHWA (if applicable), the geometric schematic may be updated, and final approval is given by the District. All schematic reviews for completion are considered “pending”
All schematic reviews for completion are considered “pending” prior to environmental clearance.

4.8.1 Geometric Schematic Reevaluation

The need may arise that a reevaluation of the approved geometric schematic is needed. Generally, a reevaluation may be performed if:
  • Change in the project design
     - a reevaluation is required if there is a change in the limits, ROW requirements, alignment, project features, layout, or other aspect of the design that was the basis for the environmental clearance;
  • Substantial change in affected environment prior to start of construction
     – a reevaluation is required if there is a substantial change in the baseline traffic volumes, land use, population, displacements, or any other aspect of the affected environment that was the basis for the environmental clearance;
  • Three-year delay between environmental clearance and start of construction
     (does not apply to projects that were cleared as expedited (c)(22) CEs) - if more than three years have elapsed since the environmental clearance, and construction has still not begun, then a reevaluation must be conducted after the reason for the delay has been resolved and the project is ready to be built, but prior to the actual start of construction;
  • Three-year suspension in all construction activities on the project
     (does not apply to projects that were cleared with expedited (c)(22) CEs) - if all construction activities on the project are completely suspended for a three-year period, then a reevaluation must be conducted after the reason for the suspension has been resolved and construction is ready to resume, but prior to the actual recommencement of construction; or
  • Omission/new information
     - a reevaluation is required if an omission or new information is discovered that could affect the validity of the environmental clearance (e.g., Section 4(f) property missed, public hearing was required but not conducted, or noise analysis was required but not conducted).
For EIS projects, a reevaluation is required in the following situations (in addition to those listed above):
  • Three-year delay between Draft EIS (DEIS) and Final EIS(FEIS)/Record of Decision (ROD);
  • No major steps to advance the project for three years after the FEIS/ROD (or FEIS supplement); or
  • Three-year delay between major steps to advance the project after the FEIS/ROD.
The reevaluation may invalidate the original environmental decision. More information on reevaluations can be found in TxDOT’s
Environmental Guide: Volume 1 Process
.
Additional public involvement may be required for the reevaluation.