PRIORITY PROJECTS IN PROGRAM CATEGORIES

(a) The commission by rule shall: (1) establish categories in the unified transportation program; (2) assign each project identified in the program to a category; and (3) designate the priority ranking of each project within each category. (b) The department shall collaborate with local transportation entities when assigning each project included in the unified transportation program to a category established under Subsection (a). (c) The highest priority projects within an applicable category of the unified transportation program must be projects designated as major transportation projects. (d) In prioritizing and approving projects under Section 201.9991 that are included in the unified transportation program, the commission must first evaluate projects on strategic need and potential contribution toward meeting the transportation goals established under Section 201.601(a-1)(1). After conducting that initial evaluation, the commission may conduct a secondary evaluation based on other factors such as funding availability and project readiness.