Step 5 seeks agreement on Detailed Alternatives and is characterized by detailed engineering and environmental analysis of a smaller number of alternatives identified for further development in Step 4. Public participation during these steps is essential to reaching consensus on a Preferred Alternative. Public involvement is a key part in making the 10-Step process and the refined Four Phase Approach effective. Throughout the development of a project, PennDOT will work to keep the public well informed and offer opportunities for citizen input into the transportation decision-making process. Through discussions with people from various environmental and transportation agencies, as well as from community officials and the general public, PennDOT will better understand the community interests and concerns so that they may be considered during project development.
Public involvement can influence decision making at every step along the way.
A project can only move forward after general consensus on the appropriate course of action has been reached. If resource agencies or concerned citizens express reservations about the direction a project is taking, it may be necessary for PennDOT to conduct further studies and address these concerns.