(a) The commission by rule shall:
(1) establish criteria for designating a project as a major transportation project;
(2) develop benchmarks for evaluating the progress of a major transportation project and timelines for implementation and construction of a major transportation project; and
(3) determine which critical benchmarks must be met before a major transportation project may enter the implementation phase of the unified transportation program.
(b) The department annually shall update the list of projects that are designated as major transportation projects.
(c) In adopting rules required by this section, the commission shall collaborate with local transportation entities.