| (a) General. In compliance with Title 23 U.S.C. §135,
as implemented by 23 C.F.R. Part 450 and Transportation Code, Chapter
201, Subchapter H, the department will develop a statewide long-range
transportation plan (SLRTP) covering a minimum forecast period of
24 years that provides for the development and implementation of a
transportation system and contains all modes of transportation, including:
(1) the systems and facilities for highways and toll
roads, aviation, public transportation, railroads and high-speed railroads,
waterways, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle transportation facilities;
and
(2) the transportation users of each type of transportation
facility.
(b) Requirements. The plan must:
(1) include the statewide transportation improvement
program developed under §16.103 of this chapter (relating to
Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)) by reference;
(2) include the unified transportation program developed
under §16.105 of this chapter (relating to Unified Transportation
Program (UTP)) by reference;
(3) contain specific and clearly defined transportation
system strategies and long-term transportation goals for the state,
including efforts to maintain a safe transportation system, address
travel congestion, and connect Texas communities;
(4) contain specific, measurable targets for each transportation
goal and other related performance measures;
(5) consider the projects and strategies adopted by
each metropolitan planning organization and rural planning organization
in the organization's long-range plans;
(6) contain a long-range rural component for areas
not included in the boundaries of an MPO that includes a priority-based
listing of corridors for long-range strategies that lead to the development
of an integrated intermodal transportation system;
(7) identify priority corridors, projects, or areas
of the state that are of particular concern to the department in meeting
the goals established under paragraph (3) of this subsection;
(8) contain, for each priority corridor or project
listed, an estimate of project costs as approved by the district or
districts in which the priority corridor or project is located; and
(9) contain a participation plan for obtaining input
on the goals, measurable targets, projects, and priorities under this
section from other state agencies, political subdivisions, metropolitan
planning organizations, rural planning organizations, local transportation
entities, other officials who have local responsibility for the various
modes of transportation, and members of the general public.
(c) Financial considerations. The plan must include:
(1) a component that is financially constrained based
on the funding assumptions and forecasts set forth in §16.151
and §16.152 of this chapter (relating to Long-Term Planning Assumptions
and Cash Flow Forecast, respectively) as well as local contributions
that may be identified by an individual MPO, and identifies proposed
projects and strategies; and
(2) a component that is not financially constrained
and identifies corridors, projects, strategies, and other needs in
various areas of the state including transportation improvements designed
to relieve congestion.
(d) Integration of plans and policy efforts. In developing
each of the department's transportation plans and policy efforts,
the department will clearly reference the SLRTP and specify how the
plan or policy effort supports or otherwise relates to the specific,
long-term transportation goals described in subsection (b) of this
section.
(e) Updates. The department will update the plan every
four years or more frequently as necessary. An amendment, update,
or revision of the STIP or the UTP is an administrative modification
to the plan and does not require an update to the SLRTP.
(f) Public involvement during development of the SLRTP.
(1) The department will seek to effectively engage
the general public and stakeholders in development of the SLRTP.
(2) The department will hold public meetings throughout
the state that will cover each district during development of the
SLRTP and each update of the plan. The public meetings will be held
as early as the department determines is feasible to assure public
input into the planning process. The department will publish notice
of each public meeting as appropriate to maximize attendance at the
meeting.
(3) The department will report its progress on the
plan to participants at the meeting and provide an opportunity for
a free exchange of ideas, views, and concerns relating to proposed
transportation goals, measurable targets, projects, and priorities.
A representative from each district will attend each public meeting
applicable to the district and be available for the discussion.
(4) The department may conduct a public meeting by
video-teleconference or other electronic means that provide for direct
communication among the participants.
(g) Public involvement prior to final adoption. The
department will hold at least one statewide hearing prior to final
adoption of the SLRTP by the commission and before final adoption
of any update to the plan by the commission.
(1) The department will publish a notice of a hearing
in the Texas Register a minimum of
15 days prior to its being held and in the notice will inform the
public where written comments may be sent.
(2) The department will accept written public comments,
including comments submitted in electronic format, for a period of
at least 30 days after the date the notice appears in the Texas Register.
(3) At the time the notice of hearing is published
under paragraph (1) of this subsection and until the SLRTP or update
is finally adopted, the department will make a copy of the SLRTP or
an update to the plan available for review at each of the district
offices and at the department's Transportation Planning and Programming
Division offices in Austin. A copy will also be available on the department
website.
(h) Publication. The department will publish the adopted
SLRTP, updates, and administrative modifications on the department's
website. The SLRTP will also be available for review at each of the
district offices and at the department's Transportation Planning and
Programming Division offices in Austin.
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