# Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review
**AGENCY:**
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), DOT.
**ACTION:**
Notice and request for comments.
**SUMMARY:**
The FHWA has forwarded the information collection request described in this notice to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval. We published a *Federal Register* Notice with a 60-day public comment period on this information collection on July 14, 2000 (65 FR 43824). We are required to publish this notice in the *Federal Register* by the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
**DATES:**
Please submit comments by September 24, 2001.
**ADDRESSES:**
You may send comments to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget, 725 17th Street, NW., Washington, DC 20503, Attention: DOT Desk Officer. You are asked to comment on any aspect of these information collections, including: (1) Whether the proposed collections are necessary for the FHWA's performance; (2) the accuracy of the estimated burdens; (3) ways for the FHWA to enhance the quality, usefulness, and clarity of the collected information; and (4) ways that the burdens could be minimized, including the use of electronic technology, without reducing the quality of the collected information.
**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION**
*Title:* Design/Build Research Study.
*Abstract:* The Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21), Section 1307, prescribes the interim provisions under which projects can be advanced utilizing design/build contracting procedures. TEA-21 mandates that regulations will be developed to carry out the amendments made by section 1307. With the increased funding available under TEA-21, States are expected to increase their use of design/build contracting to advance projects. One unique aspect of design/build contracting is that it authorizes construction at the time the project agreement is signed. This allows the contractor to begin construction on a parcel of land as soon as it is acquired. The contractor is responsible for maintaining access, availability of utilities and any related safety concerns for vacant landowners, homeowners and/or businesses that await acquisition of, or relocation from, their property for right-of-way purposes. The FHWA Office of Real Estate Services, in conjunction with South Carolina State University, will conduct a survey of the approximately 100 property owners, residents, business owners and various contractors who were involved in a recent design/build project in Virginia. The purpose is to ascertain their perceptions of the prime contractor's ability and responsiveness to possible safety-related, access or utility issues that may have affected them. The information will be collected by telephone/written surveys, personal interviews and/or site visits. The information gathered from the survey will be used by the Office of Real Estate Services to assist in the drafting of the regulations as prescribed in TEA-21 and any subsequent guidance issued to the states.
*Respondents:* Approximately 100 affected property owners, residents, business owners and various contractors involved in a recent design/build project in Virginia.
*Estimated Total Annual Burden:* 30 minutes per response; total estimate of 50 burden hours.
**FOR FURTHER INFORMAITON CONTACT:**
Mr. David Walterscheid, 202-366-9901, Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, Office of Real Estate Services, 400 Seventh Street, SW., Washington, DC 20590. Office hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
**Electronic Access**
Internet users may access all comments received by the U.S. DOT Dockets, Room PL-401, by using the universal resource locator (URL): *http://dms.dot.gov.* It is available 24 hours each day, 365 days each year. Please follow the instructions online for more information and help. An electronic copy of this document may be downloaded using a modem and suitable communications software from the Government Printing Office Electronic Bulletin Board Service at telephone number 202-512-1661. Internet users may reach the *Federal Register* 's home page at *http://www.nara.gov/fedreg* and the Government Printing Office's database at *http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara.*
**Authority:**
The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995; 44 U.S.C. Chapter 35, as amended; and 49 CFR 1.48.
Issued on: August 17, 2001.
James R. Kabel,
Chief, Management Programs and Analysis Division.