A ROW certification is submitted for every project. The ROW certification certifies that required ROW acquisition is complete, or will be complete, by a certain date. Improvements on ROW must be removed, sold or demolished before construction begins.

ROW clearance certifications declaring that the ROW is clear or unclear must be prepared and submitted to DES before a project can be advertised for construction bids according to federal policy. If ROW acquisition is not clear before bid advertisement, the District must give anticipated acquisition completion dates that must include the status of acquisition and the effect on construction. These dates must be as accurate as possible since delays in ROW acquisition may result in contractor delays and claims.

The District Engineer signs project certifications which will be part of the project File of Record. A copy of the signed certifications is submitted, with other supporting documents, to DES for PS&E letting document review and processing.