Chapter 3 - Design Controls

3.7. Environmental Considerations & Coordination

GDOT discourages design exceptions or design variances. To the extent practical, roadways should be designed to fit into the surrounding landscape and environment. This approach helps to minimize potential impacts to the built and natural environment. Some environmental factors to consider in highway design include:

• surrounding land uses and landscape elements
• historic and cultural resources
• important community features
• wetlands, streams and other natural resources
• utilities and potentially contaminated sites that are close to the roadway

• Airports and aviation facilities (located within 2 miles of the project)

GDOT encourages proactive coordination with local, and state or federal resource and regulatory agencies to identify important resources that may be of concern on a design project. 

Various techniques can be used to facilitate coordination with local jurisdictions.  Several techniques are detailed in the GDOT Context Sensitive Design Online Manual, Section 2.2. Understand Community Input and Values.

Sometimes there are opportunities for a roadway project to enhance the surrounding environment. Refer to the GDOT Environmental Procedures Manual as well as the GDOT Context Sensitive Design Online Manual, Section 2.3. Achieve Sensitivity to Social and Environmental Concerns, for further guidance in this area.   While designing a roadway or major highway alignment so that it complements the surrounding terrain is an important consideration, GDOT roadway design criteria and design standards should be met by all practical means.  Designers should thus avoid compromising good geometric design.