Many things can happen that are completely out of the department's control, Locke said. Utility companies might place their structures in the wrong spot, forcing a road's path to be altered. Other authorities, like the Army Corps of Engineers and the Department of Natural Resources, force changes, too, he said. And it might be that a project cannot be built as designed. Since road projects are years in the making, an ever-changing landscape can also affect the end product.
Human error is always a factor.
And more often than not, humans force the greatest change, Locke said. When original plans are drawn, neighbors are invited to view design plans. They often want changes to lessen the impact on their properties. As long as it doesn't affect our permits, safety and constructibility, we try to look at all of the factors. It is a balancing act that can last three to 10 years, and the whole time you have to make sure any change doesn't adversely impact someone else.