BLAIR LEE III, Acting Governor                            1353

construction and reconstruction program shall be derived
from the current 20-year highway needs study.

(b) (1) The Administration shall develop and carry
out a 5—year secondary highway construction and
reconstruction program. Projects in the 5-year secondary
highway program shall be derived from the current 20—year
highway needs study.

(2)   As to the establishment of construction
priorities and the inclusion of highway projects in any
county, before each submission of the 5—year secondary
highway program to the General Assembly, the Administration
shall consult with the county and municipal government
officials.

(3)  Each year, the Administration shall submit:

(i) In its budget to the General Assembly,
for the review and approval of the General Assembly, the
secondary highway program for the following fiscal year; and

(ii) For the information of the General
Assembly, the secondary highway program for the remaining 4
years of the program.

(4)   The program submitted each year to the
General Assembly for review and approval shall include:

(i) The highway projects, including bicycle
trails, scheduled for construction or reconstruction during
the following fiscal year; and

(ii) The degree of completion anticipated
during that year for each project.

(5)  If, for any reason, the Administration cannot
perform in accordance with the scheduling set forth in the
annual submissions, it shall explain to the General Assembly
during the next regular legislative session any change in
the scheduling of a project included in the program for the
preceding year. ]

8-610.

(A)    IN THIS PART THE FOLLOWING WORDS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(B)    (1) "CONSTRUCTION PHASE" MEANS THE PHASE IN
WHICH A HIGHWAY PROJECT IS ADVANCED THROUGH DETAILED
ENGINEERING, PROPERTY ACQUISITION, AND CONSTRUCTION TO
COMPLETION.

(2) THIS DEFINITION DOES NOT PRECLUDE THE
ADMINISTRATION FROM ACQUIRING PROPERTY DURING THE PROJECT
PLANNING PHASE, AND THE COMPLETION OF PROPERTY ACQUISITION
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT TO THE PROJECT'S ALIGNMENT
OR CONSTRUCTION.