(a) General. In compliance with Title 23 U.S.C. §135, as implemented by 23 C.F.R. Part 450 and Transportation Code, Chapter 201, Subchapter H, the department will develop a statewide long-range transportation plan (SLRTP) covering a minimum forecast period of 24 years that provides for the development and implementation of a transportation system and contains all modes of transportation, including:
  (1) the systems and facilities for highways and toll roads, aviation, public transportation, railroads and high-speed railroads, waterways, pedestrian walkways, and bicycle transportation facilities; and
  (2) the transportation users of each type of transportation facility.
(b) Requirements. The plan must:
  (1) include the statewide transportation improvement program developed under §16.103 of this chapter (relating to Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP)) by reference;
  (2) include the unified transportation program developed under §16.105 of this chapter (relating to Unified Transportation Program (UTP)) by reference;
  (3) contain specific and clearly defined transportation system strategies and long-term transportation goals for the state, including efforts to maintain a safe transportation system, address travel congestion, and connect Texas communities;
  (4) contain specific, measurable targets for each transportation goal and other related performance measures;
  (5) consider the projects and strategies adopted by each metropolitan planning organization and rural planning organization in the organization's long-range plans;
  (6) contain a long-range rural component for areas not included in the boundaries of an MPO that includes a priority-based listing of corridors for long-range strategies that lead to the development of an integrated intermodal transportation system;
  (7) identify priority corridors, projects, or areas of the state that are of particular concern to the department in meeting the goals established under paragraph (3) of this subsection;
  (8) contain, for each priority corridor or project listed, an estimate of project costs as approved by the district or districts in which the priority corridor or project is located; and
  (9) contain a participation plan for obtaining input on the goals, measurable targets, projects, and priorities under this section from other state agencies, political subdivisions, metropolitan planning organizations, rural planning organizations, local transportation entities, other officials who have local responsibility for the various modes of transportation, and members of the general public.
(c) Financial considerations. The plan must include:
  (1) a component that is financially constrained based on the funding assumptions and forecasts set forth in §16.151 and §16.152 of this chapter (relating to Long-Term Planning Assumptions and Cash Flow Forecast, respectively) as well as local contributions that may be identified by an individual MPO, and identifies proposed projects and strategies; and
  (2) a component that is not financially constrained and identifies corridors, projects, strategies, and other needs in various areas of the state including transportation improvements designed to relieve congestion.
(d) Integration of plans and policy efforts. In developing each of the department's transportation plans and policy efforts, the department will clearly reference the SLRTP and specify how the plan or policy effort supports or otherwise relates to the specific, long-term transportation goals described in subsection (b) of this section.
(e) Updates. The department will update the plan every four years or more frequently as necessary. An amendment, update, or revision of the STIP or the UTP is an administrative modification to the plan and does not require an update to the SLRTP.
(f) Public involvement during development of the SLRTP.
  (1) The department will seek to effectively engage the general public and stakeholders in development of the SLRTP.
  (2) The department will hold public meetings throughout the state that will cover each district during development of the SLRTP and each update of the plan. The public meetings will be held as early as the department determines is feasible to assure public input into the planning process. The department will publish notice of each public meeting as appropriate to maximize attendance at the meeting.
  (3) The department will report its progress on the plan to participants at the meeting and provide an opportunity for a free exchange of ideas, views, and concerns relating to proposed transportation goals, measurable targets, projects, and priorities. A representative from each district will attend each public meeting applicable to the district and be available for the discussion.
  (4) The department may conduct a public meeting by video-teleconference or other electronic means that provide for direct communication among the participants.
(g) Public involvement prior to final adoption. The department will hold at least one statewide hearing prior to final adoption of the SLRTP by the commission and before final adoption of any update to the plan by the commission.
  (1) The department will publish a notice of a hearing in the Texas Register a minimum of 15 days prior to its being held and in the notice will inform the public where written comments may be sent.
  (2) The department will accept written public comments, including comments submitted in electronic format, for a period of at least 30 days after the date the notice appears in the Texas Register.
  (3) At the time the notice of hearing is published under paragraph (1) of this subsection and until the SLRTP or update is finally adopted, the department will make a copy of the SLRTP or an update to the plan available for review at each of the district offices and at the department's Transportation Planning and Programming Division offices in Austin. A copy will also be available on the department website.
(h) Publication. The department will publish the adopted SLRTP, updates, and administrative modifications on the department's website. The SLRTP will also be available for review at each of the district offices and at the department's Transportation Planning and Programming Division offices in Austin.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.54 adopted to be effective January 1, 2011, 35 TexReg 8388; amended to be effective November 15, 2012, 37 TexReg 8981; amended to be effective September 1, 2018, 43 TexReg 5240