A. Prior to or in connection with the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement, the responsible public entity may enter into an interim agreement with the private entity proposing the development and/or operation of the facility or facilities. Such interim agreement may (i) permit the private entity to commence activities for which it may be compensated relating to the proposed qualifying transportation facility, including project planning and development, advance right-of-way acquisition, design and engineering, environmental analysis and mitigation, survey, conducting transportation and revenue studies, and ascertaining the availability of financing for the proposed facility or facilities; (ii) establish the process and timing of the negotiation of the comprehensive agreement; and (iii) contain any other provisions related to any aspect of the development and/or operation of a qualifying transportation facility that the parties may deem appropriate.
B. Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter to the contrary, a responsible public entity may enter in to an interim agreement with multiple private entities if the responsible public entity determines in writing that it is in the public interest to do so.
C. The Department of Transportation, the Virginia Passenger Rail Authority, and the Department of Rail and Public Transportation shall not enter into an interim agreement for the development of a transportation facility under this chapter that either (i) establishes a process and timing of the negotiations of the comprehensive agreement or (ii) allows for competitive negotiations as set forth in § 2.2-4302.2.