DESIGN CRITERIA FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM.

SEC. 304. DESIGN CRITERIA FOR THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY SYSTEM. Section 109 of title 23, United States Code, is amended— (1) by striking subsection (a) and inserting the following: “(a) In General.—The Secretary shall ensure that the plans and specifications for each proposed highway project under this chapter provide for a facility that will— “(1) adequately serve the existing and planned future traffic of the highway in a manner that is conducive to safety, durability, and economy of maintenance; and “(2) be designed and constructed in accordance with criteria best suited to accomplish the objectives described in paragraph (1) and to conform to the particular needs of each locality.”; (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting the following: “(c) Design Criteria for National Highway System.— “(1) In general.—A design for new construction, reconstruction, resurfacing (except for maintenance resurfacing), restoration, or rehabilitation of a highway on the National Highway System (other than a highway also on the Interstate System) may take into account, in addition to the criteria described in subsection (a)— “(A) the constructed and natural environment of the area; “(B) the environmental, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community, and preservation impacts of the activity; and “(C) access for other modes of transportation. “(2) Development of criteria.—The Secretary, in cooperation with State highway departments, may develop criteria to implement paragraph (1). In developing criteria under this paragraph, the Secretary shall consider the results of the committee process of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials as used in adopting and publishing ‘A Policy on Geometric Design of Highways and Streets’, including comments submitted by interested parties as part of such process.”; and (3) by striking subsection (q) and inserting the following: “(q) Scenic and Historic Values.—Notwithstanding subsections (b) and (c), the Secretary may approve a project for the National Highway System if the project is designed to— “(1) allow for the preservation of environmental, scenic, or historic values; “(2) ensure safe use of the facility; and 109 STAT. 580 “(3) comply with subsection (a).”.