With roughly 8,000 miles of road, Oregon's highway system traverses the habitats of many native species, big and small, that call Oregon home. ODOT receives inquiries from people and organizations interested in improving highway right of way -- the area of land alongside and between travel lanes -- for the benefit of animals and ecosystems. Where feasible, ODOT partners with agencies and organizations to support habitat connectivity.
Coordination is Critical to Success
ODOT must approve any projects proposed on highway right of way or other property ODOT owns, manages or maintains.
ODOT's maintenance and operations program aims to keep state highways open and system features operational to support the safe movement of people and goods through the state. Without proper coordination, new infrastructure can burden the agency with unexpected and unfunded inventory, inspection, maintenance, repair and replacement obligations. For example, the wrong species of tree planted in the wrong location can create sight distance impacts or run-off-road safety hazards for system users.
New infrastructure that does not improve mobility access or safety must still be inspected, maintained, kept in good repair, and either replaced or abandoned in place when it is no longer functional.
Regardless of the benefits accrued, roadside habitat enhancements must be thoughtfully planned and coordinated before implementation occurs.
Common Habitat Connectivity Enhancements
Wildlife passage enhancements range in size and scale. Examples include:
- Minor retrofits of existing bridges and culverts to enhance passage.
- Constructing new wildlife passage structures to move wildlife over or under the highway.
These projects can include wildlife fencing and other features that extend along the highway to reduce wildlife-vehicle collisions while increasing habitat connectivity across the highway.
Contacts
Wildlife Crossing Program Information
Cidney Bowman
Rod Thompson
John Raasch
Examples of this type of proposed project include:
- One time or ongoing weed removal.
- Planting trees, shrubs or other native plants.
- Connecting, expanding or enhancing wetlands, riparian areas or tidal habitats.
- Modification or addition of highway infrastructure to allow amphibians or other small animals to safely cross highways to access habitats.
Contacts
Ted Hart
Patti Caswell
Rebecca Burrow
Expectations for Conducting Work on ODOT Right of Way
ODOT funding has legal restrictions on use. ODOT funds cannot be used for projects that do not have a highway benefit (e.g., do not improve highway safety, mobility, or access for the travelling public).
Projects may vary in nature. They can be:
- Permanent or temporary.
- Structural or non-structural.
Temporary projects are either short-term (six months or less) or long-term (seven months or more). A new culvert under a highway is an example of a permanent structural project, while enhancing a road-stream crossing is a non-structural project that could be temporary or permanent depending on the scope.
Permanent or long-term projects must have government agency sponsorship. For example, a non-profit organization interested in adding amphibian crossing infrastructure would need their city, county, state, federal or tribal agency sponsor the project. The sponsoring agency enters an agreement with ODOT to ensure funding for inspection, short- and long-term maintenance and repair, and ultimate replacement or abandonment at the end of the life of the structure.
Written agreements are required for every project. ODOT uses this documentation to:
- Ensure adequate funding for planning, design, construction, and any short- or long-term inspection, maintenance, repair, and replacement, as appropriate or applicable.
- Formalize roles and responsibilities for:
- Obtaining required state or federal clearances, approvals and permits.
- Construction delivery.
- Project mitigation.
- Long-term monitoring of the facility needed for environmental permits.
Conditions and requirements will vary by project. Specific requirements will vary depending on the project scope and scale, funding source, risk assessment, highway benefit, and available resources, among other circumstances.
Structural projects include additional requirements due to the complexity of the work. For example:
- Projects must be designed in accordance with ODOT specifications.
- Projects must meet state contracting rules, including prevailing wage.
- Projects on federal aid highways must have Federal Highway Administration approval.
Any project allowed on ODOT right of way or property must not:
- Interfere with the maintenance and operation of the highway.
- Compromise highway safety or mobility.
- Impact hydraulic capacity, if carrying water.
- Impact the use of the highway or structural integrity of highway infrastructure.
Typical Process Summarized
- ODOT receives a proposed project summary and assesses the proposal. The proposal should address the expectations and requirements outlined in the prior section.
- If ODOT determines the proposed project is not viable, ODOT notifies the requestor of the decision and closes the request.
- If the project is viable, ODOT provides the requestor with an outline of the site-specific requirements and expectations.
- If the requestor decides to proceed, ODOT and the requestor enter into a preliminary agreement allowing project planning to begin.
- The type of agreement may vary depending on the nature of the requestor.
- In addition to requirements and expectations, the agreement includes breakdown of roles, responsibilities and estimated financial obligations.
- Funding for ODOT staff time to participate in project reviews is required for certain projects based on the scope and scale of the work.
- Once the project reaches 30% design complete, ODOT initiates a formal comprehensive agreement with the requesting agency.