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Linking Planning & NEPA

Efforts have been underway to improve the program development and project delivery process and link it to our environmental processes and procedures. This effort, called Linking Planning & NEPA (LPN), focuses on ensuring that our most urgent infrastructure needs are identified in planning, with a better understanding of the issues that may impact the project delivery schedule and budget. The key goals of LPN include:

A new Linking Planning & NEPA process was developed through intensive coordination among PennDOT, our Planning Partners, and other key stakeholders. The objectives of the new process are centered on: integrated collaboration and decision-making, up-front problem analysis and planning, fiscally sound project selection and a well-defined and consistent scoping process. Four Implementation Teams are developing detailed guidance for the Linking Planning & NEPA process.

  1. The Asset Management Implementation Team is evaluating the work cycles and costs required to maintain our system in good repair. The evaluation includes roadways, bridges, traffic signals, signs, guiderail, retaining walls, drainage, and traffic management.
  2. The Project Delivery Process Implementation Team is preparing materials to support a more structured, consistent process of program development to ensure communication of core decision-making information and key factors are considered at the appropriate time.
  3. The Data/Tools Implementation Team is preparing materials and tools to support the new Project Delivery Process and enhancing access to available data.
  4. The Communications Team is preparing literature and training sessions to educate all Planning Partners involved in the program and project development process.


A seven-step project delivery process is defined to guide transportation problems from assessment to project identification and ultimately to construction as illustrated in the Program Development and Project Delivery Process Flowchart.

Stay tuned for future updates as the Linking Planning & NEPA effort continues to move forward!