(a) To the extent that the work does not jeopardize the delivery of the projects in the adopted state transportation improvement program, the Department of Transportation may prepare a project studies report for capacity-increasing state highway projects that are not included in the state transportation improvement program. Preparation of the project studies report shall be limited by the resources available to the department for that work, supplemented, as appropriate, by regional or local resources. The project studies report shall include the project-related factors of limits, description, scope, costs, and the amount of time needed for initiating construction.
(b) Whenever project studies reports are performed by an entity other than the Department of Transportation, the department shall review and approve the report.
(c) The Department of Transportation may be requested to prepare a project studies report for a capacity-increasing state highway project which is being proposed for inclusion in a future state transportation improvement program. The department shall have 30 days to determine whether it can complete the requested report in a timely fashion. If the department determines that it cannot complete the report in a timely fashion, the requesting entity may prepare the report. Upon submission of a project studies report to the department by the entity, the department shall complete its review and provide its comments to that entity within 60 days from the date of submission. The department shall complete its review and final determination of a report which has been revised to address the department’s comments within 30 days following submission of the revised report.
(d) The Department of Transportation, in consultation with representatives of cities, counties, and regional transportation planning agencies, shall prepare draft guidelines for the preparation of project studies reports by all entities. The guidelines shall address the development of reliable cost estimates. The department shall submit the draft guidelines to the California Transportation Commission not later than July 1, 1991. The commission shall adopt the final guidelines not later than October 1, 1991. Guidelines adopted by the commission shall apply only to project studies reports commenced after October 1, 1991.
(Amended by Stats. 1998, Ch. 596, Sec. 3. Effective September 21, 1998.)