TxDOT should analyze each project alternative carefully; the goal being to select the most cost-effective option that is least likely to impact the environment and best serves the purpose of the project. Several factors must be considered in the decision to avoid or minimize involvement with hazardous materials including health and safety concerns, design feasibility, maintenance after construction, liability, costs, and other environmental issues.

If contamination is encountered and cannot be avoided, TxDOT should make every effort to have the owner, operator, and/or responsible party investigate and clean up the contamination prior to acquisition.If it cannot be cleaned up prior to acquisition and construction, the project designer should find ways to minimize involvement or impacts with hazardous materials by redesigning the project or properly handling the concern prior to or during construction. It may be necessary to develop procedures, plan notes, specifications and/or plan details to address contamination concurrently with construction (e.g. an SGMP). In some cases, requirements for proper management of hazardous materials or special considerations for post-construction maintenance activities may also apply.