Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The IH610/US59 interchange is at the intersection of the two of the most heavily traveled freeways in the State. IH610 is a controlled access highway that forms an approximately 38 MI loop around the downtown sector of the City of Houston. US59 is a primary north-south thoroughfare through the United States. The existing segment of IH610 from IH10 to US59 is ranked as the #1 most congested roadway in the State, and the 4th most congested for freight. US59 from IH610 to SH288 is ranked as the 3rd most congested roadway in the State, and the 2nd most congested for freight. Additionally, IH610 provides an evacuation connection to various designated evacuation routes in the region. At the interchange of IH610/US59, multiple direct connectors connect the IH610 mainlanes to the respective US59 mainlanes. The existing interchange is nearing the end of its useful life, is functionally obsolete and is in need of replacement. The existing direct connectors and mainlane bridge do not meet current design standards for vertical clearances, sight distance, lane width and shoulder width. These issues, combined with the congestion of the highways and connectors (particularly during peak hours) and merging by vehicular traffic, create safety concerns for the traveling public at the interchange. The 2013 ADT/Truck traffic in the vicinity of this project was 313,017/9.2% on US59 west of IH610; 279,440/9.2% on US59 east of IH610; 307,079/5.8% on IH610 north of US59; and 222,300/4.5% on IH610 south of US59. Traffic volumes are only expected to increase due to the rapid population growth of the Houston area, which has seen significant population growth in recent years. The total population of Harris County was estimated to be 4,336,853 in 2013 by the US Census Bureau, a 6% increase since 2010. The total population of Harris County grew by 20% between the 2000 (population: 3,400,578) and 2010 Census (population: 4,092,459). This rapid population growth is expected to continue. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of this proposed project is to improve safety and mobility, reduce traffic congestion, and improve operational efficiency. The proposed interchange improvements would relieve congestion within the interchange and provide for safer roadways by reconstructing the interchange to current design standards, increasing vertical clearance, adding shoulders to the mainlanes, and improving sight distances. The proposed improvements will move the connector tie in points out from the middle of the intersection and relocate them further away from the interchange. This will allow more room for the weaving movements and will greatly reduce the existing congestion. Moving two direct connectors out from under the main lane bridge will allow the main lane bridge to be replaced in the future and lowered to correct the vertical curve problem, improving safety and sight distance. It will also result in the correction of the vertical clearance problem. In addition, various ramp reconstruction and roadway realignment in the vicinity of the interchange would improve operating efficiency of the surrounding roadway network and improve access to IH 610 and US 59. IH 610/US 59 converge near the Uptown/Galleria district, a high employment center and a primary entertainment and retail district in the Houston metropolitan area, as well as Memorial Park, the City of Bellaire, and various other residential/commercial developments. US 59 provides access to downtown Houston. Finally, this interchange is subject to severe periodic flooding. The projects will provide drainage improvements to alleviate this problem. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed project would reconstruct the direct connectors between IH 610 and US 59 and reconstruct the IH 610 mainlane bridge along with various ramp reconstructions and roadway realignments in the vicinity of the interchange. The proposed project is actually part of a staged approach to reconstructing this interchange. Project CSJs 0271-17-157 (Connector from US 59 NB to IH 610 SB) and 0271-17-145 (Connector from IH 610 SB to US 59 NB) have been funded. The overall project reconstructs the direct connectors, with the final project being the reconstruction of the IH 610 mainlane bridge. The IH 610 mainlane bridge will be reconstructed and lowered vertically to improve sight distances, and cannot be completed until the related direct connector projects are constructed. The four unfunded projects include: 0271-17-146: Direct connector (IH 610 northbound to US 59 southbound); 0027-13-210: Direct connector (US 59 southbound to IH 610 southbound); 0027-13-211: Direct connector (US 59 northbound to IH 610 northbound); and 0271-17-161: Reconstruction of IH 610 main lane bridge. Where ROW allows, sidewalks will be constructed along frontage roads and Post Oak Boulevard (Post Oak is part of previously funded 0271-17-145). Project 0271-17-146 needs to let with 0271-17-145 (Previously funded) in order to have the least impact on the traveling public; a significant benefit exists in letting these projects together in terms of traffic control and construction efficiencies. Projects 0027-13-211, 0027-13-210, and 0271-17-161 need to be let together in order to have the least impact on the traveling public; a significant benefit exists in letting these projects together in terms of traffic control and construction efficiencies. This submittal is for 0271-17-146, which is part of the entire IH 610/US 59 interchange reconstruction. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max The existing interchange is located in the highly developed Uptown/Galleria District of the Houston area, which is a major constraint. Engineering design around the existing facility has also constrained potential alternatives, leaving only the build or no build alternatives.

Project Development/Readiness

Has a scoping meeting been conducted with TxDOT or FTA?
Note: A brief scoping meeting will be scheduled during the application review period for any “Major Investment” project which has not already had one. Yes What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Will any permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, railroad, etc. be required before the project can be constructed? No Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 04/01/2014 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? Yes Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). Utility evaluation is in progress. Utility meeting has been held at the 30 percent level and the 60 percent Utility Meeting is scheduled in early 2015. The utility adjustments will be completed by utility companies, and will be reimbursed because they are located along an interstate highway. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? No Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. Public Meeting – 04/2012. Additional Public Hearing Needed Public Involvement Attachment 0271-17-146 - Schematic - IH 610 at US 59.pdf Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Environmental document status at 90% complete. 0271-17-146 is at 60% PS&E status. 0027-13-211, 0027-13-210, and 0271-17-161 are at 0% PS&E status. Construction on this project could commence without all ROW acquired. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment 0271-17-146 - Corridor - 610-59.pdf

Map/Location

Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map of the proposed project.
(*.mpk ESRI Map Package file preferred) 0271-17-146 - GIS.pdf

Project Budget

Please attach a completed project budget worksheet.
Templates are available on the 2015 TIP Call Website
Uploaded files are limited to Word Documents, Excel Spreadsheets, PDFs, GIS files, and image files.
File size cannot exceed 30MB. 0271-17-146 - Budget - IH610.xlsx Is this application for a transit project, ITS project, or other project that would have a significant ongoing operating/maintenance cost? No Are transportation development credits being requested? No

Benefit /Cost Methodology - Roadway/Mobility (Non-ITS)

Please select the most appropriate Benefit-Cost Analysis(BCA). Congestion – Travel Time Savings

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and appropriate narrative of analysis used.

Excel spreadsheet 0271-17-146 - BCT - IH 610 at US 59.pdf Analysis Narrative Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Regional Impact

Will the project improve a NHS/Principal Arterial or a designated evacuation route? NHS/Principal Arterial Please explain: Project improves IH 610 and IH 69/US 59, both of which are on the NHS, with IH 610 on the “Eisenhower Interstate System”, and IH 69/US 59 designated as an “Other NHS Route” east of IH 610 and as “Non-Interstate STRAHNET Route” west of IH 610 (According to the maps on the FHWA website). US 59 to the west of IH 610 has been designated as IH 69. Project improves an “Evacuation Connection” (IH 610), per the HGAC March 31, 2014 Hurricane Evacuation map. Will the project improve a designated Heavy Cargo Route? Yes Please explain: IH 610 is the heavy and hazardous cargo route bypassing downtown Houston and is categorized as a Freight Bottleneck. Will the project improve a roadway on which fixed route transit service is being provided or otherwise used by other transit services outside of a fixed route service area? Yes Please explain: Current METRO routes in the vicinity of the project include: 132, 163, 262, 265, 269, 274, and 292 on US 59; 9, 283, and 285 on IH 610. The METRO Reimagined Draft Network Plan shows that the interchange serves Routes 151, 152 and 153 on US 59 and Route 6 on IH 610. Additionally, METRO accommodations will be provided by this interchange project. Plans are currently being developed for a Bellaire Uptown Transit Center in the vicinity of this project, as well.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Does project include construction of raised medians, innovative intersections (e.g. roundabout, diverging diamond, single point urban interchange, etc), or other significant safety/access management technique? Yes Please explain: This is a primarily a highway project, and elimination of weaving movements will be handled via braided ramp. Work at the interchange is accommodating bus-only planned lanes that are part of a transit project. Does project include Ped/Bike accommodations that meet or exceed AASHTO standards? Yes Please explain: 15-foot outside lanes are proposed along new segments of frontage road that are reconstructed (where feasible within ROW), which will provide bicycle accommodations. Sidewalks are proposed along segments of frontage road that are reconstructed and Post Oak Boulevard (Post Oak is part of previously funded 0271-17-145). Does project include a significant ITS or other integrated technology component to increase facility efficiency and reliability? Yes Please explain: Existing ITS systems would be replaced and upgraded.

Community

Is project a recommendation in a Regional or local plan/study? Yes Please explain: IH 610 and US 59 are discussed in the City of Houston’s “Houston Mobility: Inner West Loop Study” in the context of this portion of the City’s connections to the interstates/highways and how these connections impact roadways in the area of the study. A portion of the roadways examined provide access to IH 610 or US 59. Although this project is not specifically recommended, the discussion of IH 610 and US 59 in the study indicates the impact traffic from the interstates/highways have on the roadways in the area. IH 610 and US 59 are also discussed in studies conducted by Uptown Houston as providing regional access to the core areas of Uptown. Plan/Study Website http://houstontx.gov/planning/mobility/CMP/Inner-West-Loop-Mobility-Study http://www.uptown-houston.com/images/uploads/Uptown_Traffic_Impact_Study_2014.pdf Plan/Study Upload Does project provide needed connection or capacity identified in adopted Thoroughfare Plan? Yes Please explain: IH 610 and US 59 are identified on the City of Houston’s Major Thoroughfare plan.