ORS 367.622: Preservation and modernization projects funded by specified bonds; rules; selection criteria.

(1) As used in this section: (a) “Highway” has the meaning given that term in ORS 801.305. (b) “Modernization” means improvements that add capacity to highways, including but not limited to new or widened lanes and new bypasses. (c) “Preservation” means paving, striping, reconstruction and other activities designed to add useful life to existing highways. (2) Bonds described in ORS 367.620 (2) shall be used to finance preservation and modernization projects chosen by the Oregon Transportation Commission. The commission shall select projects from among the following: (a) Highways that need increased lane capacity. (b) Highways and bridges that have weight limitations. (c) State and local bridges. (d) Interchanges on multilane highways. (e) District highways in cities and counties that require preservation. The Department of Transportation shall adopt rules defining “district highway” for purposes of this paragraph. (3) In choosing projects under subsection (2) of this section, the commission shall use the following criteria, in addition to any criteria developed under ORS 367.623: (a) Lane capacity projects shall be chosen from a financially constrained list. (b) Bridge projects shall be chosen on the basis of a bridge inventory or rating system recognized by the commission. (c) Priority for interchange projects shall be given to projects on multilane highways where safety can be enhanced by constructing a grade-separated interchange to replace an at-grade crossing. (d) Priority for district highway preservation projects shall be given to those projects that may facilitate transfer of jurisdiction over the highway from the state to a local government. (e) Projects selected for financing under this section shall be equitably distributed throughout the state, using the criteria for distribution of projects that are used for the Statewide Transportation Improvement Program. [2001 c.669 §2; 2005 c.612 §8]