HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1715

Article - Transportation

8-102.

(A) IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS TITLE TO PROVIDE FOR THE
ORGANIZATION, DEVELOPMENT, AND COORDINATION OF A CONTINUING,

COMPREHENSIVE, AND INTEGRATED TRANSPORTATION PLANNING

PROCESS.

(B) TO PROMOTE AN EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM, THE DEPARTMENT AND ADMINISTRATION,
BEFORE AUTHORIZING NEW HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION, SHALL DETERMINE
THAT THE PROPOSED PROJECT'S OBJECTIVE CANNOT BE REASONABLY

(A)  IT IS THE POLICY OF THIS TITLE TO PROMOTE AN
EFFICIENT AND ECONOMICAL TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

(B)  THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND THE STATE
HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION MAY NOT PROCEED TO THE FINAL PROJECT
PLANNING PHASE UNLESS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE
OBJECTIVE OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT CANNOT BE REASONABLY
ACHIEVED THROUGH:

(1)  IMPROVEMENTS IN HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE AND
SAFETY;

(2)  PROJECTS THAT MODIFY EXISTING HIGHWAYS BUT
PROVIDE FOR MINIMAL RELOCATION OR NEW HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION;
AND

(3)  IMPROVEMENTS IN, OR ADOPTION OF, TRANSIT
ALTERNATIVES, INCLUDING MASS TRANSIT ALTERNATIVES.

8-610.

(c) "Highway needs inventory" means an identification
of needs for highway projects[,] THAT:

(1) IS based on the latest evaluation of highway
conditions and transportation needs by the Administration;
AND

(2) IS IN KEEPING WITH THE POLICY EXPRESSED IN §
8-102 OF THIS TITLE.

(h) "Initial project planning phase" means that
portion of the project planning phase which includes:

(1)  Notification of local, State, and federal
officials;

(2)  Initial interagency review;

(3)  Initial systems planning;