A brief explanation of the PD&E Study process is provided below. It will help you understand the process and track the progress of the study.

The PD&E process was developed by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to ensure that transportation projects are developed with consideration of current engineering standards, project costs and minimization of social and environmental impacts, while involving the public throughout the entire study process.

Data Collection
The first major work effort is the collection of all available data pertaining to the study corridor including existing roadway characteristics, traffic counts, existing and future land uses, drainage patterns, locations of wetlands and habitat for threatened or endangered species, potential contamination sites, etc.

Alternatives Development and Analysis
Once the data collection is complete and the needs of the corridor have been determined, various improvement alternatives will be developed. Several alternatives, including the No Build alternative, will be considered and evaluated during the PD&E Study. The environmental impacts, social impacts and costs of these alternatives will be quantified and summarized in a comparative matrix.

Public Alternatives Workshop
A public alternatives workshop is held after the alternatives development and analysis progresses to the point that viable alternatives are developed. The concepts are presented at am alternatives public workshop. This workshop provides the public with an opportunity to view and comment on the alternatives under consideration. With input received at the workshop, the project team will finalize the preferred alternative.

Public Hearing
After the public comments are reviewed and the analysis of the alternatives has been refined, a formal public hearing will be held to present the preferred alternative to the public. The public hearing provides a forum for input from property owners and interested parties concerning the final recommendations of the proposed project. A final decision on the recommendations will not be made until after the public hearing. 

Final Acceptance
After the comments from the public hearing have been addressed, the project reports are finalized and submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for location and design concept acceptance. Once this acceptance is received, the study phase of the project will be complete. The phases that would follow the study phase include the design, right-of-way and construction.