§ 4-219 — Context sensitivity

(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to ensure that Department of Transportation projects adequately meet the State's transportation needs, exist in harmony with their surroundings, and add lasting value to the communities they serve. (b) To support this objective, the Department of Transportation shall embrace principles of context sensitive design and context sensitive solutions in its policies and procedures for the planning, design, construction, and operation of its projects for new construction, reconstruction, or major expansion of existing transportation facilities. (c) A hallmark of context sensitive design and context sensitive solutions principles for the Department of Transportation shall be early and ongoing collaboration with affected citizens, elected officials, interest groups, and other stakeholders to ensure that the values and needs of the affected communities are identified and carefully considered in the development of transportation projects. (d) Context sensitive design and context sensitive solutions principles shall promote the exploration of innovative solutions, commensurate with the scope of each project, that can effectively balance safety, mobility, community, and environmental objectives in a manner that will enhance the relationship of the transportation facility with its setting. (e) The Department shall report to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than April 1, 2004 on its efforts to implement context sensitive design criteria.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 93-545, eff. 1-1-04.)