Publication Number: HRT-11-012
Date: April 2011
Printable Version (.pdf, 1 mb)

FOCUS on Training: An Interactive Overview of Right-of-Way Requirements for Local Agencies

With millions of dollars in funding for local infrastructure distributed as part of the Nation's economic recovery program over the past 2 years, a new training course from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) National Highway Institute (NHI) has been designed to provide a basic overview of the requirements of the Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970 (Uniform Act). Any State or local government receiving Federal funding for local transportation projects must comply with the provisions of the Uniform Act.

Introduction to Federal-Aid Right-of-Way Requirements for Local Public Agencies (Course No. FHWA-NHI-141050) highlights Federal requirements and procedures for acquiring property for Federally-assisted transportation projects. The 2-day course has been designed as a hands-on, highly interactive learning experience to guide participants through a series of right-of-way (ROW) problem solving exercises. For those with limited ROW knowledge, a free Web-based course, Real Estate Acquisition Under the Uniform Act: An Overview (Course No. FHWA-NHI-141045), can be taken in advance.

The main instructor-led course will cover the legal basis for land acquisition by a governmental entity, enable participants to assess the impact of a roadway improvement as it relates to the Uniform Act, and demonstrate how to sequence the ROW process within the overall project development process. On completion of the course, participants will also be equipped to determine the appropriate valuation process for ROW acquisition, apply the Uniform Act requirements to ROW acquisition and relocation assistance, and determine their agency's responsibilities for managing real property.

Designed for a minimum of 20 participants and a maximum of 35, the course costs $400 per person and is aimed at local public agency (LPA) personnel responsible for acquiring ROW for Federally-funded projects and those responsible for oversight of LPAs. FHWA personnel, consultants, State agency staff, and other interested parties are also invited to participate.

For additional information on Introduction to Federal-Aid Right-of-Way Requirements for Local Public Agencies or the Web-based Real Estate Acquisition Under the Uniform Act: An Overview, contact Carolyn James at FHWA, 202-493-0353 (email: carolyn.james@fhwa.dot.gov). To schedule the courses or to learn more about NHI training opportunities, visit www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov.