(a) Before initiating the primacy determination process under Subchapter B for a toll project, the department and the local toll project entity may enter into a toll project agreement that:
(1) identifies the responsibilities of each party for project-related activities, which may include the performance of environmental work and traffic and revenue studies; and
(2) includes an agreement that the primacy determination process under Subchapter B may be initiated earlier than as provided by Section 373.051.
(b) A toll project agreement may provide an alternative to the primacy determination process under Subchapter B for toll project development, including an alternative timeline for the development of toll project phases.