For related information, see of the

ROW Acquisition Manual

.

Utility Only Project Release. This release is typical of projects where no right of way acquisition has been planned, but reimbursable utilities are encountered. Generally, no other right of way work is performed under the ROW CSJ/ROW Project ID assigned to the project. Costs may be charged against the ROW CSJ/ROW Project ID when this type of release is used. The requirements for this type of release are:
Commission Minute Order - Project Authorization
Environmental clearance
Request from the District for release
Federal Project Authorization and Agreement (FPAA), if applicable, for Federal funding
Contractual Agreement with LPAs , if applicable; include three copies of the agreement
Copy of the check for the LPA's contribution amount
Copy of the LPA's resolution

Full Authority Release. All costs may be charged to the ROW CSJ/ROW Project ID. When issued by the ROW Program Office, the Full Authority Release includes utility work and all other right of way activities. This would include processing of the Utility Agreement Assembly, acquiring replacement utility right of way, physical adjustment of utility facilities, and reimbursement of eligible cost incurred. Issuance of a full right of way release is contingent upon completion of the following:
Approved schematic
Approved right of way map submitted to the ROW Program Office
Right of way project cost estimate
Environmental clearance
Federal Project Authorization and Agreement (FPAA), if required
Executed contractual agreement with LPA, including funding, if applicable.

FHWA, by issuance of a Federal Project Authorization and Agreement (FPAA), documents the approval of Federal cost participation in a right of way project. The FPAA is required for the ROW Program Office to issue a Full Authority Release. Do not request approval for a full Right of Way Release before an environmental approval for the project is obtained. If Federal reimbursement will be requested for any of the cost incurred under the

Utility Only Project Release

above, these costs must be associated with preliminary engineering and the actual relocation costs for the project, which includes costs associated with obtaining environmental clearance.

Eligible costs for preliminary engineering and replacement right of way incurred by a utility

after

issuance of the ROW Division’s release will be reimbursed. Costs of performing adjustments will be eligible upon utility agreement approval or authorization by the LPA, whichever is applicable. For more information on eligible costs, see Chapter 11, Section 3, .

TxDOT Policy

TxDOT participation in the costs of necessary utility adjustments is set forth in the Transportation Code, . Participation on highways within the Interstate Highway System is limited to those adjustments eligible for Federal cost participation per 23CFR Part 645. Note that 23CFR Part 645 requires

prior approval

by TxDOT

and

the FHWA for any phase of utility work.

Neither Federal rule nor State statutes provide for cost participation where utility removal occurs without subsequent replacement or relocation. Accordingly, State participation in such removal is dependent upon the utility possessing a compensable interest in the land occupied by the removed facilities. Participation is limited to the value of the real property interest, less the salvage value of the removed or abandoned facilities.

Cost participation in an adjustment where the utility possesses no real property interest is limited to the cost of relocation. New real property interests acquired by the utility after the relocation are

not

eligible for cost participation.

Federal Utility Reimbursement Regulations

prescribes reimbursement controls and general requirements as well as requiring prior TxDOT approval for certain phases of utility work. FHWA approval is required for facilities such as reservoirs, substations, and tank farms, etc. Unless this requirement is met, many items otherwise eligible for State and Federal participation may be declared ineligible.

TxDOT will participate with the LPA in

necessary

utility adjustments required by improvements of the State Highway System when the utility possesses a .