California Eminent Domain Report

The FHWA recently published a series of useful short videos on its website.  For those of you working on transportation projects involving federal aid, check them out below:

• Right-of-Way Coordination and Certification Requirements.  Before an agency gets to construct its project, it needs to coordinate and certify the right-of-way.  This video provides an overview of the initial coordination process when federal funds are involved, including what must be completed before putting a project out to bid, and the need to obtain physical possession of the impacted properties.
• Acquisition and Negotiation.  A property owner is entitled to just compensation for the taking of property; the process for determining compensation, providing relocation benefits, and presenting the offer is described in the Uniform Relocation Assistance Act.  This video provides an overview of the federal regulations that apply to acquiring property, and the procedures that must be followed when agencies enter into negotiations.
• Property Management.  Properly acquiring and managing property for project right-of-way is vital to protecting the public’s investment and securing Federal-aid funding.  This video provides an overview of the federal requirements involved in managing right-of-way before and after construction.

What do you think?  Useful?  Cheesy?  For more helpful information, check out the FHWA's website for (1) information on right-of-way regulations that apply to federal aid projects, (2) information on the Uniform Act and related regulations and guidance, (3) Federal regulations that apply to Federal-aid highway projects prior to authorizing construction, and (4) Real Estate Acquisition Guide For Local Public Agencies.