N.Y. Public Authorities Law § 1264: Purposes of the authority

§ 1264. Purposes of the authority. 1. The purposes of the authority

shall be the continuance, further development and improvement of

commuter transportation and other services related thereto within the

metropolitan commuter transportation district, including but not limited

to such transportation by railroad, omnibus, marine and air, in

accordance with the provisions of this title. It shall be the further

purpose of the authority, consistent with its status as the ex officio

board of both the New York city transit authority and the triborough

bridge and tunnel authority, to develop and implement a unified mass

transportation policy for such district in an efficient and

cost-effective manner that includes the use of design-build contracting

on all projects over two hundred million dollars in cost for new

construction and all projects over four hundred million dollars in cost

for projects that are predominantly rehabilitation or replacement of

existing assets except where a waiver is granted by the New York state

budget director pursuant to a request in writing from the metropolitan

transportation authority. For purposes of granting a waiver pursuant to

this section, such review shall consider whether the design build

contracting method is appropriate for the project that such waiver is

sought for, and the amount of savings and efficiencies that could be

achieved using such method. The determination for such waiver shall be

made in writing within forty-five days from request or shall be deemed

granted.

2. It is hereby found and declared that such purposes are in all

respects for the benefit of the people of the state of New York and the

authority shall be regarded as performing an essential governmental

function in carrying out its purposes and in exercising the powers

granted by this title.