Why do projects take so long?

In our region, the Johnson City Metropolitan Transportation Planning Organization (MTPO) is responsible for the planning for all transportation projects using federal funds.  This includes local and state projects.

But what happens after the planning is done?  Can’t we just build it?  Simply stated, No. There is a process.

Project Initiation: At this point the MTPO takes a support role, with the local jurisdiction being the lead agency.  Before a project using federal funds can even be started by a local jurisdiction, project initiation must be completed. This is a process where a local jurisdiction submits a formal request to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) to start a project. While this seems like it should be simple, it can take up to six months or longer to get a contract approved and a notice to proceed on the project. 

Environmental Review and Design: After the notice to proceed has been issued by TDOT, the local jurisdiction can begin the environmental review process, which is required by the National Environmental Policy Act of 1972, as amended.  The environmental review can take up to nine months or much longer, after which the actual design can begin. It should be noted the design phase of a project continues throughout with the formation of preliminary design plans, right-of-way plans, and finally construction plans.

Right-of-Way:  It is not uncommon for a transportation project to require additional land for construction.  This phase is referred to as the “right-of-way acquisition” or purchasing property from private individuals or corporations.  For instance, if a road widening project needs additional land, the local jurisdiction would have to hire an appraiser to determine a current appraisal of the property and then make an offer to the owners.  How long does this process take?  Well, it depends.  It can take one up to two years and even longer if parties do not agree.

Construction:  Finally, once a project has cleared all enviromental reviews, all permits have been approved, all land aquistion has been completed, and the designs are finished, the bid process can begin.  After the bid is awarded by the governing body of the local jurisdiction, scheduling of construction can begin.  It is not uncommon for the construction phase on large project to take several years.