US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

The transportation commission shall develop a comprehensive ten-year investment program specifying program objectives and performance measures for the preservation and improvement programs defined in this section. The adopted ten-year investment program must be forwarded as a recommendation to the governor and the legislature, and is subject to the approval of the legislature in the biennial transportation budget act. In the specification of investment program objectives and performance measures, the transportation commission, in consultation with the Washington state department of transportation, shall define and adopt standards for effective programming and prioritization practices including a needs analysis process. The analysis process must ensure the identification of problems and deficiencies, the evaluation of alternative solutions and trade-offs, and estimations of the costs and benefits of prospective projects. The investment program must be based upon the needs identified in the state-owned highway component of the statewide comprehensive transportation plan.

     (1) The preservation program consists of those investments necessary to preserve the existing state highway system and to restore existing safety features, giving consideration to lowest life cycle costing. The preservation program must require use of the most cost-effective pavement surfaces, considering:

     (a) Life-cycle cost analysis;

     (b) Traffic volume;

     (c) Subgrade soil conditions;

     (d) Environmental and weather conditions;

     (e) Materials available; and

     (f) Construction factors.

     The comprehensive ten-year investment program for preservation must identify projects for two years and an investment plan for the remaining eight years.

     (2) The improvement program consists of investments needed to address identified deficiencies on the state highway system to increase mobility, address congestion, and improve safety, support for the economy, and protection of the environment. The ten-year investment program for improvements must identify projects for two years and major deficiencies proposed to be addressed in the ten-year period giving consideration to relative benefits and life cycle costing. The transportation commission shall give higher priority for correcting identified deficiencies on those facilities classified as facilities of statewide significance as defined in RCW 47.06.140. Project prioritization must be based primarily upon cost-benefit analysis, where appropriate.

[2006 c 334 § 45; 2005 c 319 § 9; 2002 c 5 § 402; 1998 c 171 § 6; 1993 c 490 § 3; 1987 c 179 § 2; 1979 ex.s. c 122 § 2; 1977 ex.s. c 151 § 44; 1975 1st ex.s. c 143 § 1; 1973 2nd ex.s. c 12 § 4; 1969 ex.s. c 39 § 3; 1965 ex.s. c 170 § 33; 1963 c 173 § 3.]

Notes:

Effective date -- 2006 c 334: See note following RCW 47.01.051.      Findings--Intent--Part headings--Effective dates -- 2005 c 319: See notes following RCW 43.17.020.      Effective date -- 2002 c 5 §§ 401-404: See note following RCW 47.05.010.      Captions not law -- Severability -- 2002 c 5: See notes following RCW 47.01.012.      Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 122: See note following RCW 47.05.021.