2005 Washington Revised Code RCW 47.05.051: Ten-year comprehensive investment program — Priority selection criteria — Improvement program criteria.

The comprehensive ten-year investment program shall be based upon the needs identified in the state-owned highway component of the statewide comprehensive transportation plan and priority selection systems that incorporate the following criteria:

     (1) Priority programming for the preservation program shall take into account the following, not necessarily in order of importance:

     (a) Extending the service life of the existing highway system, including using the most cost-effective pavement surfaces, considering:

     (i) Life-cycle cost analysis;

     (ii) Traffic volume;

     (iii) Subgrade soil conditions;

     (iv) Environmental and weather conditions;

     (v) Materials available; and

     (vi) Construction factors;

     (b) Ensuring the structural ability to carry loads imposed upon highways and bridges; and

     (c) Minimizing life-cycle costs.

     (2) Priority programming for the improvement program must be based primarily upon the following, not necessarily in order of importance:

     (a) Traffic congestion, delay, and accidents;

     (b) Location within a heavily traveled transportation corridor;

     (c) Except for projects in cities having a population of less than five thousand persons, synchronization with other potential transportation projects, including transit and multimodal projects, within the heavily traveled corridor; and

     (d) Use of benefit/cost analysis wherever feasible to determine the value of the proposed project.

     (3) Priority programming for the improvement program may also take into account:

     (a) Support for the state's economy, including job creation and job preservation;

     (b) The cost-effective movement of people and goods;

     (c) Accident and accident risk reduction;

     (d) Protection of the state's natural environment;

     (e) Continuity and systematic development of the highway transportation network;

     (f) Consistency with local comprehensive plans developed under chapter 36.70A RCW including the following if they have been included in the comprehensive plan:

     (i) Support for development in and revitalization of existing downtowns;

     (ii) Extent that development implements local comprehensive plans for rural and urban residential and nonresidential densities;

     (iii) Extent of compact, transit-oriented development for rural and urban residential and nonresidential densities;

     (iv) Opportunities for multimodal transportation; and

     (v) Extent to which the project accommodates planned growth and economic development;

     (g) Consistency with regional transportation plans developed under chapter 47.80 RCW;

     (h) Public views concerning proposed improvements;

     (i) The conservation of energy resources;

     (j) Feasibility of financing the full proposed improvement;

     (k) Commitments established in previous legislative sessions;

     (l) Relative costs and benefits of candidate programs.

[2006 c 334 § 47; 2005 c 319 § 11; 2002 c 189 § 3; 2002 c 5 § 406; 1998 c 175 § 12; 1993 c 490 § 5; 1987 c 179 § 5; 1979 ex.s. c 122 § 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 143 § 4.]

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.      Intent -- 2002 c 5: "The legislature intends that funding for transportation mobility improvements be allocated to the worst traffic chokepoints in the state. Furthermore, the legislature intends to fund projects that provide systemic relief throughout a transportation corridor, rather than spot improvements that fail to improve overall mobility within a corridor." [2002 c 5 § 405.]      Reports: "The department of transportation shall report the results of its priority programming under RCW 47.05.051 to the transportation committees of the senate and house of representatives by December 1, 2003, and December 1, 2005." [2002 c 5 § 407.]      Captions not law -- Severability -- 2002 c 5: See notes following RCW 47.01.012.      Severability -- 1998 c 175: See RCW 47.06A.900.      Severability -- 1979 ex.s. c 122: See note following RCW 47.05.021.