WSDOT - Context Sensitive Solutions

•	WSDOT's Approach

•	Building Projects that Build Communities

•	Community Partnership Resource Center

•	FHWA Context Sensitve Design

•	Safety, Aesthetics and Context Sensitve Design

•	Thinking Beyond the Pavement

•	Community Economic Assistance Center

•	Infrastructure Asst Coordinating Council

•	Local Government Commission

•	Main Street

•	Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance

•	TRB Committee on Public Involvement

•	Urban Land Institute

•	WA State Rural Development Council

What other states are taking the Context Sensitive Design approach?
•	Connecticut
•	Kentucky
•	Maryland
•	Minnesota
•	Utah
•	Federal Lands Highway

New Executive Order for Context Sensitive Solutions

This new Executive Order directs WSDOT employees to implement Context Sensitive Solutions tools on all department projects.

Context Sensitive Solutions

Context Sensitive Solutions is a model for transportation project development that has recently received much discussion and broad acceptance. Its essence is that a proposed transportation project must be planned not only for its physical aspects as a facility serving specific transportation objectives, but also for its effects on the aesthetic, social, economic and environmental values, needs, constraints and opportunities in a larger community setting. WSDOT endorses the Context Sensitive Solutions approach for all projects, large and small, from early planning through construction and eventual operation.

This means that WSDOT employees working on projects and facilities should:

Engage from the project’s inception with representatives of affected communities, including elected and appointed officials and a widely representative array of interested citizens.
Assure that transportation objectives of projects are clearly described and discussed with local communities in a process that encourages reciprocal communication about local views and needs in the overall project setting.
Pay attention to and address community and citizen concerns.
Ensure the project is a safe facility for both the user and the community.

Context Sensitive Solutions is a process that places a high value on seeking and, if possible, achieving consensus. WSDOT’s belief is that consensus is highly advantageous to all parties and may help avoid delay and other costly obstacles to project implementation.

For More Information

The offices of Highways and Local Programs and the State Design Engineer are charged with developing training, rules, and procedures for WSDOT employees to carry out this Executive Order. Please contact either office for more information:

Design Office (360) 705-7230
Highways and Local Programs Division (360) 705-7871


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