commissioner is required to use these funds to construct and |
maintain shared-use paths in the transportation region in which |
the highway or bridge project is located and is required to |
solicit input from the regional transportation advisory |
committee established for that region in order to select a |
location for the shared-use path that best serves the goals of |
enhancing urban and small-town environments in the State through |
the development of shared-use paths. If the project is located |
within more than one transportation region, the commissioner is |
required to solicit input from the regional transportation |
advisory committee for each of those regions when selecting the |
location or locations in those regions for the shared-use paths. |
Curb cuts or ramps must be included where necessary as part of |
the shared-use path. The bill also establishes a safe paths to |
schools program. This program outlines the planning and |
construction of shared-use paths to provide safe transportation |
for children from neighborhoods to schools, parks and local and |
state trails systems. It also creates a grant program to fund |
the program. Finally, the bill creates a legislative study |
commission to study the potential location, funding and |
statewide benefits of shared-use paths. The study commission is |
required to seek outside funding to pay for all costs of the |
commission. |