Strategic Intermodal System supply chain demands.

(1) The Legislature finds that Strategic Intermodal System components defined in s. 339.62 ensure a multimodal transportation system; that the Strategic Intermodal System is a critical network supporting economic activities and the transport of people and goods; and that the Strategic Intermodal System is instrumental in the movement of road building materials for infrastructure investments. The Legislature further finds that Florida’s rapid economic and population growth can compound supply chain demands on the transportation system, and the demand for construction aggregate continues to outpace supply.

(2) The department shall specifically address in its transportation plans, including the Florida Transportation Plan and the Strategic Intermodal System Plan, movement and storage of construction aggregate materials essential for building roadways.

(3) The department may make up to $20 million available each year from the existing work program to fund projects that meet the public purpose of providing increased capacity and enhanced capabilities to move and store construction aggregate. Applicants eligible for project funding under this section are seaports listed in s. 311.09 and rail lines and rail facilities.

(4) The department must consider at least the following criteria when evaluating projects for assistance under this section:

(a) The ability of the project to serve the strategic state interest of mitigating supply chain demands for construction aggregate sufficient to ensure ongoing improvement of the Strategic Intermodal System and the state’s entire transportation network.

(b) The ability of the project to facilitate the cost-effective and efficient movement and storage of construction aggregate.

(c) The extent to which the project efficiently interacts with and supports the transportation network.

(d) Any commitment of a funding match, which may be investment or commitment made by the owner or developer of the existing or proposed facility that facilitates or will facilitate the movement and storage of construction aggregate, local financial support or commitment, or a combination of both. Projects with a funding match shall be prioritized based on the amount of the match and shall be prioritized over projects having no such funding match.

(5) The State Transportation Trust Fund may fund up to 100 percent of the cost of a project selected based on the criteria specified herein.

(6) The department may adopt rules to implement this section.