NRS408.5483. Approval of request or proposal: Determination of public purpose; staff reports; copy of request or proposal to be furnished to affected governmental entities; fee; approval contingent on entering agreement with Department; establishment of date for development of or commencement of construction of transportation facility.

      1.  The Department may approve a request or proposal submitted pursuant to NRS 408.5475 or 408.548 if the Department determines that the transportation facility serves a public purpose. In determining whether the transportation facility serves a public purpose, the Department shall consider whether:

      (a) There is a public need for the type of transportation facility that is proposed;

      (b) The proposed interconnections between the transportation facility and existing transportation facilities and the plans of the person submitting the request for the operation of the transportation facility are reasonable and compatible with any statewide or regional program for the improvement of transportation and with the transportation plans of any other governmental entity in the jurisdiction of which any portion of the transportation facility will be located;

      (c) The estimated cost of the transportation facility is reasonable in relation to similar transportation facilities, as determined by an analysis of the cost performed by a professional engineer who is licensed pursuant to chapter 625 of NRS;

      (d) The plans of the person submitting the request will result in the timely development or construction of or improvement to the transportation facility or its more efficient operation;

      (e) The plans of the person submitting the request contain any penalties for the failure of the person submitting the request to meet any deadline which results in the untimely development or construction of or improvement to the transportation facility or failure to meet any deadline for its more efficient operation; and

      (f) The long-term quality of the transportation facility will meet a level of performance established by the Department over a sufficient duration of time to provide real value to the public.

      2.  In evaluating a request or proposal submitted pursuant to NRS 408.5475 or 408.548, the Department may consider internal staff reports prepared by personnel of the Department who are familiar with the operation of similar transportation facilities or the advice of outside advisors or consultants with relevant experience.

      3.  The Department shall request that a person who submitted a request or proposal pursuant to NRS 408.5475 or 408.548 furnish a copy of the request or proposal to each governmental entity that has jurisdiction over an area in which any part of the transportation facility is located. Within 30 days after receipt of such a request or proposal, the governmental entity shall submit in writing to the Department, for consideration by the Department, any comments that the governmental entity has concerning the transportation facility and shall indicate whether the transportation facility is compatible with any local, regional or statewide transportation plan or program that is applicable to the governmental entity.

      4.  The Department shall charge a reasonable fee to cover the costs of processing, reviewing and evaluating a request or proposal submitted pursuant to NRS 408.5475 or 408.548, including, without limitation, reasonable fees for the services of an attorney or a financial or other consultant or advisor, to be collected before the Department accepts the request or proposal for processing, review and evaluation.

      5.  The approval of a request or proposal by the Department is contingent on the person who submitted the request or proposal entering into an agreement with the Department. In such an agreement, the Department shall include, without limitation:

      (a) Criteria that address the long-term quality of the transportation facility.

      (b) The date of termination of the authority and duties pursuant to NRS 408.5471 to 408.549, inclusive, of the person whose request or proposal was approved by the Department with respect to the transportation facility and for the dedication of the transportation facility to the Department on that date.

      (c) Provision for the imposition by the person whose request or proposal was approved by the Department of such rates, fees or other charges as may be established from time to time by agreement of the parties for use of all or a portion of a transportation facility, other than a bridge or road.

      6.  In connection with the approval of a transportation facility, the Department shall establish a date for the development of or the commencement of the construction of, or improvements to, the transportation facility. The Department may extend the date from time to time.

      (Added to NRS by 2003, 2030)