The following words and terms, when used in this subchapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.     
       (1) Applicant--A political subdivision or private entity authorized by law to construct or finance the construction of a bridge over the Rio Grande.      
       (2) Commission--The Texas Transportation Commission.      
       (3) Competing bridge applicant--An applicant whose project will compete for traffic and revenue and may have social, environmental, traffic congestion, and mobility impact on the study area.      
       (4) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.      
       (5) District office--One of the 25 geographical areas, managed by a district engineer, in which the department conducts its primary work activities.      
       (6) Metropolitan planning organization--An organization designated in certain urbanized areas to carry out the transportation planning process as required by Title 23, United States Code, §134.      
       (7) Project--The construction or the financing of the construction of a bridge over the Rio Grande.      
       (8) Study area--The area on both sides of the Texas-Mexico border affected by the proposed bridge.      
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §15.71 adopted to be effective December 26, 1995, 20 TexReg 10622; amended to be effective September 14, 2006, 31 TexReg 7575