1. (a) The commission will approve an RMA constructing a transportation project under §26.62(2) of this subchapter if:

   1. (1) the project is eligible under §26.65 of this subchapter;
   2. (2) the project comes from a conforming transportation plan and transportation improvement program, when required by federal law;
   3. (3) the project is consistent with the Texas Transportation Plan, the metropolitan transportation plan, and the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program; and
   4. (4) the commission determines that the project will have a significant positive impact on the mobility of the region of the RMA.

2. (b) When approving or disapproving a project under subsection (a) of this section, the commission will consider:

   1. (1) the anticipated reduction to traffic congestion;
   2. (2) potential social, environmental, and economic impacts of the project, and the extent to which the RMA has complied with all EPIC;
   3. (3) benefit to state and local government; and
   4. (4) whether the construction will expand the availability of funding for transportation projects or reduce direct state costs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §26.64 adopted to be effective July 18, 2002, 27 TexReg 6354.