(a) Purpose. This section defines the responsibility of local governments for preliminary engineering and construction engineering expenses associated with the development of highway improvement projects.     
      (b) Funding. Preliminary and construction engineering expenses may be funded by the commission at the entire expense of the department, with local participation, and/or with federal participation, in accordance with criteria set forth by federal law and regulations. Any required local participation is subject to adjustment under §15.55 of this title (relating to Construction Cost Participation).     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §15.53 adopted to be effective September 26, 1996, 21 TexReg 8957; amended to be effective January 1, 1998, 22 TexReg 12090; amended to be effective July 17, 2019, 44 TexReg 3551