Approved by the Infrastructure and Research Policy Committee on May 22, 2026
Approved by the Public Policy and Practice Committee on June 3, 2026
Adopted by the Board of Direction on July 21, 2026

Policy

The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) urges the creation of strategies to improve the efficiency, predictability, and transparency of expedite the decision-making in the regulatory process for infrastructure development at federal, state, and local levels. The goal is to allow critical infrastructure projects to proceed in a timely manner while maintaining appropriate regulatory oversight, public trust, and protection of health, safety welfare, and the environment.

ASCE also recommends the following strategies to streamline the regulatory process for infrastructure development:

  • Designation of a lead administrative processing/permitting agency to shorten and improve the approval process and improve inter-agency collaboration. 
  • Concurrent reviews of project documents supported by coordinated schedules and shared review milestones.
  • Timely resolution of interagency conflicts through clearly defined roles, responsibilities, and escalation procedures. 
  • Applicant responsibility for providing complete information for review.
  • Implementation of procedures to promptly reject incomplete or insufficient design submittals with clear guidance for resubmittal.
  • Clearly defined time limits for reviews and decisions on infrastructure projects to improve accountability and predictability. 
  • Use of digital permitting systems, standardized data formats, and shared information platforms to reduce duplication, improve coordination, and enhance transparency.
  • Allowance for reuse of previously completed and approved studies by a jurisdictional authority for the proposed infrastructure area of impact when applicable.

Issue

Federal, state, and local regulations are intended to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. However, inefficient, fragmented, or poorly coordinated regulatory processes can significantly delay infrastructure project approvals. Unclear roles, duplicative reviews, inconsistent requirements, and late identification of stakeholder concerns can increase project uncertainty, costs, and risk. Stakeholder expectations and acceptable outcomes need to be identified early and integrated into the project effectively. Predictable, transparent, and well-coordinated regulatory processes that incorporate early stakeholder and community engagement can reduce conflict, improve decision-making, and support the timely delivery of infrastructure projects while maintaining appropriate oversight and public trust.

Rationale

Inefficient regulatory approval processes can preclude or delay investment and implementation of needed infrastructure improvements. Such delays increase project uncertainty and costs, can adversely affect the economic, societal, and environmental benefits of the project, and will increase the likelihood of redesign, re-permitting, or conflict. 

Well-coordinated, transparent, and timely regulatory processes support better decision-making, reduce risk, and improve public confidence while maintaining appropriate protection for public health, safety, welfare, and the environment. In the context of aging infrastructure, evolving technologies, and increasing resilience and climate-related challenges, efficient regulatory processes are essential to ensure infrastructure investments deliver intended public benefits when and where they are most needed.

ASCE Policy Statement 427
First Approved in 1994