Arizona Passes Final FHWA Audit for Highway Project Responsibilities
Published Date: 3/5/2026
Notice
Summary
Arizona’s Department of Transportation (ADOT) has completed its fourth and final federal audit for taking charge of environmental reviews on highway projects, a job usually done by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). This means ADOT is fully responsible for making sure projects follow environmental rules, speeding up approvals and saving time and money. The audit confirms ADOT is doing a great job, so the state keeps leading these important reviews without federal delays.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 1 mixed.
Arizona Now Runs Federal NEPA Reviews
Effective April 16, 2019, the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) assumed FHWA's environmental review responsibilities for Federal-aid highway projects in Arizona. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) says this state assumption gives ADOT sole responsibility and liability for NEPA reviews and can speed approvals and save time and money for projects.
Dashboard Reporting Must Be Corrected
FHWA identified a non-compliance observation that ADOT did not include all Federal permits, authorizations, active projects, and published milestone dates in the Federal Infrastructure Permitting Dashboard as required by MOU Part 8.5.1 and DOT Dashboard reporting standards. ADOT is required to take corrective action to identify anticipated Federal permits and input target and actual milestone dates for those permits and authorizations.
Environmental Commitments Not Fully Tracked
FHWA found that ADOT lacks a consolidated process manual or report documenting tracking and implementation of all environmental commitments required under 23 CFR 771.109(b)(2). ADOT must take corrective actions to address gaps in documentation, implementation, and tracking of mitigation commitments across ADOT divisions, Local Public Agencies, and contractors.
FHWA Audit Finds ADOT Mostly Compliant
FHWA conducted Audit #4 of ADOT from March 27 to March 31, 2023 and published the final audit report March 5, 2026. FHWA found ADOT carried out assumed responsibilities consistent with the MOU but identified non-compliance observations that ADOT must correct, and FHWA will continue to monitor ADOT under 23 U.S.C. 327(h).
QA/QC, Training, and Performance Gaps Identified
FHWA observed that ADOT's quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures focus on file completeness rather than assessing decision accuracy, many ADOT staff have not taken required training, and performance measures do not evaluate program quality as required by the MOU. FHWA recommends ADOT update QA/QC, training, and performance metrics and document improvements during the MOU renewal process.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-17904, National Environmental Policy Act Regulations
FHWA, FRA, and FTA (collectively referred to as the "Agencies") are finalizing the interim final rule (IFR) published on July 3, 2025, which revised the Agencies' National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969 implementing regulations in light of the removal of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) regulations, the amendments to NEPA included in the section of the Fiscal Responsibility Act (FR Act) of 2023, known as the Building United States Infrastructure through Limited Delays and Efficient Reviews (BUILDER) Act of 2023, amendments regarding efficient environmental reviews included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) of 2021, and the Supreme Court decision in Seven County Infrastructure Coalition. The Agencies provided a 30-day comment period for the public to review and comment on the IFR. This final rule addresses public comments received and finalizes the IFR with minor technical changes.
2026-20210, Application From the State of Georgia to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State
Georgia wants to take charge of the environmental reviews for its federal highway projects instead of the federal government doing it. If approved, Georgia’s Department of Transportation will handle these reviews with some federal oversight, speeding up project delivery and possibly saving time and money. The public can share their thoughts on this plan until November 2, 2026.
2026-19140, Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway in Georgia
Georgia is getting a big upgrade on I-75 with new commercial vehicle lanes stretching about 41 miles through five counties. This project is officially approved, so construction can move forward, making travel smoother and safer for trucks and drivers alike. If anyone wants to challenge these decisions, they must act by February 16, 2027, or it’s a no-go!
2026-19098, Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway in Georgia
Georgia’s Federal Highway Administration just gave the green light to improve Lee Road Extension in Douglas County. They’ll widen roads, rebuild intersections, and add a cool new multi-lane roundabout to make driving smoother and safer. If you want to challenge this plan, you’ve got until February 16, 2027, to speak up—after that, it’s a done deal!
2026-19028, Agency Information Collection Activities: Request for Comments for a New Information Collection
The Federal Highway Administration wants your thoughts on a new form to help manage a grant program for fixing county-owned bridges over water structures. This program, started by Congress in 2026, aims to make bridges safer and improve water delivery. If you’re involved with these bridges, now’s the time to comment before October 19, 2026—no cost changes yet, just gathering info!
2026-19085, Notice of Final Federal Agency Actions on Proposed Highway Projects in Texas
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and federal agencies have given the green light to several new highway projects across Texas. These projects now have all the necessary permits and approvals, and anyone wanting to challenge these decisions must do so by February 16, 2027. This means smoother roads are coming, and the clock is ticking for any legal challenges!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-04349, Notice of OFAC Sanctions Actions
The U.S. Treasury’s OFAC just blocked the property of two individuals linked to conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. From March 2, 2026, Americans can’t do business with these folks, freezing their assets under U.S. law. This move aims to keep peace and stability in the region by cutting off financial support to those causing trouble.
Next: 2026-04354, Renewal Package From the State of Ohio to the Surface Transportation Project Delivery Program and Proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Assigning Environmental Responsibilities to the State
Ohio wants to keep handling important environmental reviews for its highway projects instead of the federal government doing it. This renewal means Ohio will continue managing these tasks with some federal oversight, helping speed up projects while protecting the environment. People have until April 6, 2026, to share their thoughts before the deal is finalized.