Sec. 19. (a) The department shall:

(1) establish a single statewide set of state and local road and bridge condition metrics;

(2) use the metrics in subdivision (1) to:

(A) evaluate and compare state and local road and bridge conditions in local units within Indiana; and

(B) evaluate and compare Indiana's statewide road and bridge conditions to road and bridge conditions in states with similar climate, soil, and traffic conditions; and

(3) develop goals, timelines, and milestones to ensure that Indiana's state and local road and bridge conditions are in the top quarter of the states included in the comparison in subdivision (2).

(b) The department shall develop a state and local road and bridge project prioritization system and project priority list. The project prioritization system must be based on a model that includes at least the following variables:

(1) Safety.

(2) Congestion.

(3) Environment.

(4) Regional and state economic contribution.

(5) Potential intermodal connectivity.

(6) Total cost of ownership.

(c) The commissioner shall appoint two (2) economic professionals and two (2) engineering professionals to establish and administer the project prioritization system and model. The appointees:

(1) serve at the pleasure of the commissioner; and

(2) are entitled to compensation set by the budget agency.

(d) The department shall use the results of the model established under this section to determine short term and long term budgetary needs. The determination must achieve the following infrastructure goals:

(1) Preserve and maintain current infrastructure resources.

(2) Provide for projected mobility needs for movement of people and goods.

(e) The department may adjust the project priority list established under this section if the department determines that unforeseen circumstances require an adjustment.

(f) The general assembly may not approve or disapprove projects on the department's project priority list.

As added by P.L.218-2017, SEC.79.