Roadway, Driveway Permitting with the Texas Department of Transportation
Steps in Acquiring Permits from TxDOT for an Industrial Site
Growth continues in Texas, as does our need for industrial and commercial operations. As companies plan for new operations or expansion of existing operations, it is crucial to have a thorough plan in place for your site before submitting any permit applications to The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), particularly when it comes to industrial operations. This massive agency of 12,000 employees is responsible for the planning, design, construction, maintenance, and operation of Texas’ transportation infrastructure, including highways, bridges, and public transportation.
TxDOT typically wants to understand the potential impact your project may have on existing roadways. To evaluate this, they use a variety of methods. They may already have data on the number of vehicles that travel on a specific roadway daily, but in some instances, they may not have that information. In such cases, TxDOT may mandate conducting traffic counts at the proposed driveway location. Other factors TxDOT considers for prospective roadway/driveway project includes overall safety, environmental impact, accessibility, compatibility, costs/economic impact, local zoning and land use regulations, thus it is important to know your current and future project considerations.
A Master Plan of the site can help TxDOT visualize what will be necessary. It is important for the client to know how many vehicles are anticipated on site each day; this includes the total number of trips to and from the site for all vehicles, from tractor trailers to passenger vehicles.
When changes to existing roadways are suggested, it is essential to include them in the planning discussions. Having a well-prepared plan for a proposed driveway can streamline the permitting process by facilitating agreement among all parties.
How to Design and Plan for TxDOT
Once the proposed driveway/roadway is being reviewed/discussed with TxDOT, decisions can be made on what is needed to meet their roadway requirements. This can include roadway/driveway geometry, ingress and egress turning lanes, shoulder improvements and drainage considerations. Elements that promote safety may be based on the type and volume of proposed traffic and traffic already using the roadways.
Public Interest Can Play a Role
Public interest is a significant consideration, as there may be varying concerns among members of the public. Therefore, it is crucial to engage with the community regularly throughout the development and permitting process to keep them informed about the measures being taken to safeguard all stakeholders.
Many companies have chosen to give additional public notices and hold community townhall meetings to inform and engage the public and allow them to ask direct questions of the parties involved. By doing this, it can help alleviate concerns and make the process proceed more smoothly.
