(a)
(i) The constructed and natural environment of the area;
(ii) The environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and preservation impacts of the activity;
(iii) Cost savings by utilizing flexibility that exists in current design guidance and regulations; and
(iv) Access for other modes of transportation.
(2) Federal-aid projects not on the NHS are to be designed, constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with State laws, regulations, directives, safety standards, design standards, and construction standards.
(3) Interstate highways located in Alaska and Puerto Rico shall be designed in accordance with such geometric and construction standards as are adequate for current and probable future traffic demands and the needs of the locality of the highway.
(4) A State may allow a local jurisdiction to design a project using a roadway design publication that is different from the roadway design publication used by the State in which the local jurisdiction resides if—
(i) The local jurisdiction is a direct recipient of Federal funds for the project;
(ii) The roadway design publication is adopted by the local jurisdiction and recognized by FHWA;
(iii) The design complies with all applicable Federal laws and regulations; and
(iv) The project is located on a roadway that is owned by the local jurisdiction and is not part of the Interstate System.
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f)
(A) Experimental features on projects; and
(B) Projects where conditions warrant that exceptions be made.
(ii) The determination to approve a project design that does not conform to the minimum criteria is to be made only after due consideration is given to all project conditions such as maximum service and safety benefits for the dollar invested, compatibility with adjacent sections of roadway and the probable time before reconstruction of the section due to increased traffic demands or changed conditions.
(2)