1. (a)

   1. (1) The typical process begins within the statewide or metropolitan planning process.
   2. (2) Ideally, the change in access has been through a transportation planning process that has involved the stakeholders to ensure the project is in the appropriate transportation plan and a system or corridor study has been completed.
   3. (3) The work completed in this transportation planning process can be used to define the initial scope and nature of the project.
   4. (4) This can include an interchange access in an MPO’s MTP, but its inclusion in the plan should not be interpreted as approval and should not be the basis for justification in the access request.
2. (b) Before making a formal request for new or revised freeway access, early coordination between the entity proposing the access change, the Arkansas Department of Transportation, the Arkansas Division of the Federal Highway Administration, the MPO (if applicable), and appropriate stakeholders (if applicable) should happen as soon as possible in order to refine the scope of the required analysis and to discuss the reasonability of the proposed project in accordance to this part.

3. (c)

   1. (1) If the proposed project appears reasonable, the proposing entity will prepare an IJR.
   2. (2) It is recommended that there is close coordination with the department and Federal Highway Administration through the IJR development process.
   3. (3) Once complete, the IJR is formally submitted to the department with a request for a finding of engineering and operational acceptability.
   4. (4) If the department concurs, the request is sent to the Arkansas Division of the Federal Highway Administration with a recommendation of approval.
   5. (5) If the Federal Highway Administration determines the request is acceptable in accordance to this part, the project may proceed to the development of final design and right-of-way plans and eventually final approval.
   6. (6) Completion of the IJR does not guarantee approval of any new access or changes to the access, however, it does provide a framework for the analysis of the potential benefits and consequences of the proposed project.

4. (d)

   1. (1) The second step is the final Federal Highway Administration approval which constitutes a federal action, and as such, requires that National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., procedures are followed.
   2. (2) Compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 procedures need not precede the determination of engineering and operational acceptability.
   3. (3) Final approval of access can only be granted upon the completion of National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 and the approval of final design and right-of-way plans.
   4. (4) Approval of access is granted as long as there are no changes to the location or design of the accepted concept. Figure 1. New or Revised Freeway Access Request Approval Process

5. (e)

   1. (1) Regardless of the funding source, since approval is considered a federal action, the project’s final approval is contingent on the successful completion of the same process as used in the planning, engineering, and environmental phases for any federally funded project.
   2. (2) The freeway system access change request also must be adopted as part of a conforming transportation plan and STIP and TIP, if applicable, to receive final approval.
   3. (3) Review of the plans, specifications, and estimate is also performed by the Federal Highway Administration prior to construction.
   4. (4) This is the final opportunity to review and approve proposed changes in access.
   5. (5) The final design is the recommended construction plan and should be consistent with the engineering concepts approved under this part.
   6. (6) If the final design is not consistent with the approval under this part, a reevaluation is necessary.

Codification Notes: “MPO” means metropolitan planning organization. "MTP" means metropolitan transportation plan. "IJR" means Interchange Justification Report. "TIP" means metropolitan transportation improvement program. "STIP" means statewide transportation improvement program.