TRANSPORTATION REINVESTMENT ZONES FOR OTHER TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

(a) A municipality or county may establish a transportation reinvestment zone for one or more transportation projects. If all or part of a transportation project is subject to oversight by the department, at the option of the governing body of the municipality or county, the department, to the extent permitted by law, shall delegate full responsibility for the development, design, letting of bids, and construction of the project, including project inspection, to the municipality or county. After assuming responsibility for a project under this subsection, a municipality or county shall enter into an agreement with the department that prescribes: (1) the development process; (2) the roles and responsibilities of the parties; and (3) the timelines for any required reviews or approvals. (b) Any portion of a transportation project developed under Subsection (a) that is on the state highway system or is located in the state highway right-of-way must comply with applicable state and federal requirements and criteria for project development, design, and construction, unless the department grants an exception to the municipality or county. (c) The development, design, and construction plans and specifications for the portions of a project described by Subsection (b) must be reviewed and approved by the department under the agreement entered into under Subsection (a). (d) In this section, "transportation project" includes: (1) transportation projects described by Section 370.003; and (2) port security, transportation, or facility projects described by Section 55.001(5).