AN ACT CONCERNING AN INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT OF TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS.

SB 298 requires an independent assessment for all state transportation infrastructure projects involving significant spending before the Department of Transportation (DOT) decides how to fund them. This applies directly to projects like road repairs, bridges, or transit systems that require major capital investment. The key mechanism is mandating this independent review to occur prior to the DOT's funding decision, aiming to increase transparency in how transportation projects are evaluated. The bill's purpose, as stated, is to provide greater clarity and oversight in the project approval process.