1. The department shall administer a corridors of commerce program for constructing, reconstructing, improving, and maintaining highways that improve freight transportation and facilitate commerce. 2. The corridors of commerce fund is a special fund in the state treasury administered by the department. The fund consists of all money deposited in the fund. Pursuant to legislative appropriations, the department shall use moneys in the fund for eligible highway projects in accordance with provisions of this section. 3. To be eligible for funding under this section: a. Any construction work associated with the project must begin within three years after the department selects the project for funding, unless the department grants an exemption; and b. The highway project must meet at least one of the following criteria: (1) The project is a segment of highway with the following characteristics: (a) The existing segment is not a divided highway; (b) At least one end of the segment connects to an expressway or freeway; and (c) The segment will connect to a proposed or existing interchange; (2) The project will ease the movement of freight traffic; (3) The project will improve safety on the highway; (4) The project will allow oversized or overweight vehicles to use the highway after completion; (5) The project will provide increased connectivity between areas of significant commerce; or (6) The highway is or will be designated as national high priority corridor of connectivity. 4. When evaluating eligible projects for funding under this section, the department shall score each eligible project, make the scores available to the public, and consider: a. The return on investment; b. Measurable improvements in commerce and economic competitiveness; c. Efficiency in traffic flow based on average daily traffic counts, commercial vehicle miles traveled, and travel times; d. Safety improvements; e. Connections to regional trade centers or other modes of transportation; and f. Community support for the project. 5. The funding provided to an eligible highway project may be used to plan, construct, replace, improve, or maintain the highway.
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