HIGHWAY CONTEXT-SENSITIVE DESIGN

House Bill 5107

Sponsor:  Rep. Ruth Johnson

Committee:  Land Use and Environment

Complete to 10-9-03

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 5107 AS INTRODUCED 10-1-03

         House Bill 5107 would amend Public Act 51 of 1951, the Michigan Transportation Fund Act, to require the Department of Transportation to consider context-sensitive design in the construction and repair of highways.

         More specifically under the bill, the Department of Transportation would be required to consider the use of context-sensitive design in undertaking the opening, widening, and improving, including the construction and re-construction, of all state trunk line highways.  In doing so, the department would be required to consider the input of affected counties.  As used in this subdivision of the act, “context-sensitive design” would mean a process designed to develop a transportation project so that it is in harmony with its environment, and preserves community, scenic, aesthetic, historic, and natural resources while maintaining safety and mobility. 

         MCL 247.651c

Analyst:  J. Hunault

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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.