§ 10i. Transportation planning process
(a) Long-range systems plan. The Agency shall establish and implement a planning process through the adoption of a long-range multi-modal systems plan integrating all modes of transportation. The long-range multi-modal systems plan shall be based upon Agency transportation policy developed under section 10b of this title, other policies approved by the General Assembly, Agency goals, mission, and objectives, and demographic and travel forecasts, design standards, performance criteria, and funding availability. The long-range systems plan shall be developed with participation of the public and local and regional governmental entities and pursuant to the planning goals and processes set forth in 1988 Acts and Resolves No. 200. The plan shall be consistent with the Comprehensive Energy Plan (CEP) issued under 30 V.S.A. § 202b.
(b) Corridor studies. The Agency shall develop transportation corridor studies as needed, consistent with asset management policies implemented by the Agency, which identify environmental issues, community concerns, and travel projections. For each corridor, problems shall be identified and ranked according to their criticality and severity.
(c) Transportation Program. The Transportation Program shall be developed in a fiscally responsible manner to accomplish the following objectives:
(1) managing, maintaining, and improving the State's existing transportation infrastructure to provide capacity, safety, and flexibility in the most cost-effective and efficient manner;
(2) developing an integrated transportation system that provides Vermonters with transportation choices;
(3) strengthening the economy, protecting the quality of the natural environment, and improving Vermonters' quality of life; and
(4) achieving the recommendations of the CEP.
(d) Project identification and scope. The Agency shall identify and develop specific projects consistent with the objectives set forth in subsection (c) of this section. For each project, a project scope shall be prepared to identify the problem to be resolved by the project, the preferred alternative, project limits, and its conceptual design and estimated costs.
(e) Information manual. An information manual giving a clear description of the planning process shall be prepared for town officials and the public. (Added 1989, No. 246 (Adj. Sess.), § 36; amended 2003, No. 160 (Adj. Sess.), § 31, eff. June 9, 2004; 2017, No. 139 (Adj. Sess.), § 11.)