On January 3, 2022, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) issued a final rule in the Federal Register to amend Part 625 in Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations – Design Standards for Highways: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/03/2021-28236/design-standards-for-highways. Per this final rule, FHWA allows the State and Local Public Agencies (LPAs) to adopt procedures or design criteria, as approved by FHWA, to undertake resurfacing, restoration, and rehabilitation (3R) projects on freeways, including interstate highways, without utilizing design exceptions as long as the 3R procedures or criteria are met. Since other principal arterials have been allowed for 3R projects, the roads of all classifications on the NHS are now eligible for the 3R application.
LPAs are now able to move forward with their 3R projects on NHS freeways. For 3R projects located on the State Highway System (SHS), the current design standards (Caltrans DIB 79-04) must be utilized, which are fully updated for the new regulatory change and suitable for use on the NHS. If the projects are located off the SHS, LAPM Exhibit 11-A: Geometric Design Standards should apply.
To access Office Bulletin #22-01 please refer to the following link: https://dot.ca.gov/-/media/dot-media/programs/local-assistance/documents/ob/2022/ob22-01.pdf
For questions regarding this Office Bulletin, please contact Kitae Nam at kitae.nam@dot.ca.gov.
