§ 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.