On February 7, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) at the Department of Transportation (DOT) published a final rule in the Federal Register to streamline regulations under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). The most recent surface transportation authorization law, Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21), called for a number of changes to the environmental review process, including the designation of new categorical exclusions. The final rule creates ten new categorical exclusions, among other changes. These categorical exclusions include: activities designed to promote transportation safety and security within or adjacent to existing right-of-way; the maintenance and reconstruction of facilities that occupy the same area and do not result in a change in functional use; and the construction, maintenance and improvement of pedestrian and bicycle facilities. 

Link: Final Rule