Think of the site development process as a train: a series of individual components linked together in a logical sequence and set along a specific course. A successful trip depends on all of the components working together.

Some components, like the series of locomotives up front, have the most influence on the speed, efficiency and effectiveness of the trip. If one of them falters, the whole train could come to a halt.

Other components, like the freight cars, are less critical but perform most of the work. Comprising the main bulk, the train would be useless without them. One or two poorly operating cars can slow down the whole train.

The caboose provides feedback from the tail end, reporting minor problems back to the locomotives, so they can be addressed.

In site development, the highway access permit process should function as one of the locomotives, up-front and foremost. Many times, developers have ignored this issue and have placed highway access issues at the end of a project, as the caboose. The danger of having the highway permit process at the end of the train is that hindsight can identify but not fix major problems. Late identification of safety and traffic congestion issues can impose design constraints on the project that significantly slow down or derail the entire process.

If you are in need of good "tracks" to keep your project moving ahead, contact Tim Gawenus, P.E. at (585) 334-1310 or tgawenus@fisherassoc.com.