Background
It is in the national interest to preserve and enhance the Interstate System.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) policy on access to the interstate system was developed to ensure that new or modified access are properly reviewed and the
highest level of service in terms of safety and mobility can be maintained.
A revised policy statement for Access to the Interstate System was published in the Federal Registry on August 27, 2009 effective immediately.
The revised policy clarifies the requirements, provides additional examples, requires a conceptual plan of the type and location of the proposed
sign locations for each design alternative, and provides clarification in the application of the policy.
The revisions were necessary to reflect the direction provided in SAFETEA-LU, clarify the operational and safety analyses that accompany proposed
changes in access on the Interstate System, and to ensure consistency with other Federal laws, regulations and FHWA policies.
Due to the complexity of adding or revising Interstate access, FHWA has developed an Interstate System Access Information Guide
that defines and explains what should be included in the Access Request submitted by FHWA Division Office.
Policy
The Florida Department of Transportation's Policy No. 000-525-015 requires that new interchanges or modifications to existing interchanges on Strategic Intermodal System (SIS)
limited-access facilities be minimized. Any proposed interchanges must follow the process,
and the analysis and documentation requirements established in the Department's New or Modified Interchanges Procedure (formerly Interchange Justification Procedure).
New or Modified Interchanges Procedure (effective 05/16/2012)
FDOT Procedure No. 525-030-160 sets forth the state and federal requirements and processes to be used for determinations of preliminary engineering and operational
acceptability associated with adding or modifying interchange access to limited access facilities on Florida’s Strategic Intermodal System (SIS).
It is to be used in the development of an interchange access request document (Interchange Justification Report, Interchange Modification Report or Interchange Operational Analysis Report).
Full compliance with the requirements and processes in this procedure is necessary for Department consideration of any interchange access. However, submittal of all necessary information
does not ensure approval of the interchange access request. Each interchange access request approval decision will be based on need, on current
Department and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) policies and on evaluation criteria including engineering, operational, safety, environmental and financial.
The 2002 Interchange Handbook (under revision)
The Interchange Handbook provides guidance on the state and federal requirements and process to be used by all applicants proposing a new or modified interchange to any limited-access facility on the SIS.
The existing Interchange Handbook, Policy Resource Documents
and Technical Resource Documents provide guidelines for the applicant and Department staff in the development
and review of interchange proposals. A Frequently Asked Questions page provides answers to concerns not addressed in these
documents.
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