Welcome to ODOT's Project Development Process (PDP)

ODOT has developed and implemented a Project Development Process (PDP) that includes regular communication among technical disciplines resulting in quality plans and thus minimizing cost overruns during project planning, right-of- way acquisition and construction. The PDP is a project management and transportation decision-making tool that outlines project development from concept through completion. Depending on the size, complexity, and/or potential impact to the environment, ODOT transportation projects are categorized as following one of five paths (Path 1– 5). All projects must advance through five sequential phases: (1) Planning, (2) Preliminary Engineering, (3) Environmental Engineering, (4) Final Engineering/ROW, and (5) Construction.

The PDP requires communication among disciplines and documentation of the reasoning behind project decisions at all stages of project development, thus eliminating duplicated effort among disciplines and providing for early identification of potential issues. Involvement of all disciplines during the early stages of project development ensures that issues affecting project type, scope, development schedule and costs can be correctly anticipated and evaluated.

Selection of the appropriate project path is based on the anticipated level of project development complexity. The project path identifies the recommended level of analysis, amount of stakeholder involvement, and activities performed during each phase.