(a)

1. (1) The Arkansas Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration have a substantial investment in the fully access-controlled freeways in Arkansas.
2. (2) The freeway system in Arkansas makes up less than five percent (5%) of the sixteen-thousand-mile state highway system but carries approximately thirty percent (30%) of the vehicle miles of travel and serves as the backbone of the system.
3. (3) Full control of access along the freeway main lanes and ramps, along with control-of-access on the local roadway network at interchanges, is critical to providing the highest levels of service in terms of safety and mobility.
4. (4) Therefore, the decision to approve new or revised access points to the freeway system should be supported by substantiated information justifying and documenting that decision.

(b) The department’s and Federal Highway Administration’s interest is to ensure all new or revised access points:

1. (1) Are considered using a decision-making process that is based on information and analysis of the planning, environmental, design, safety, and operational effects of the proposed change;
2. (2) Support the intended purpose of the freeway system;
3. (3) Do not have an adverse impact on the safety or operations of the freeway system, connecting local roadway network, or other elements of the transportation system; and
4. (4) Are designed to acceptable standards.

(c)

1. (1) The department and the Federal Highway Administration have determined that the approval procedure will be a two-step process.
2. (2) The first step is a finding of engineering and operational acceptability in accordance with this part.
3. (3) The second step is final Federal Highway Administration approval which constitutes a federal action, and as such requires that the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., procedures are followed.
4. (4) All of these are discussed in detail in 27 CAR § 95-301 et seq.
5. (5) See 27 CAR § 95-101 for definition of terms.