2018 Call for Projects Application List

Who is Completing the Application?

Please provide contact information for the person who will complete the online application for this project. The email address and password entered here will be used to complete and submit both Pre-Applications and Applications.

Primary Agency Information

Please provide contact information for the agency official who is representing the project sponsor. This individual will be considered the official applicant and must be authorized by their agency to submit this request for funding and make necessary assertations and representations on the agency’s behalf.

Additional Agency Information

1. Is this project being developed and/or implemented in partnership with another agency?

Project Information

1. Project Title

College Park Drive Shared-Use Path

2. Project County

Montgomery County

3. Facility/Street Name

College Park Drive

4. Project limits (from, to) or location (Address)

From Alden Woods to Trade Center Boulevard, then up Trade Center Boulevard to Harpers Landing

5. Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).

One of the major barriers prohibiting connectivity throughout The Woodlands pedestrian and bicycle network is Interstate 45. With a portion of The Township on the east side of this highway, there is a major access barrier to the central part of The Woodlands and the core of the pedestrian and bicycle network. This project will fill the gap from existing pathways in Harpers Landing to the existing pathways on College Park Drive to the west of Campus Drive. Safety: The proposed project will provide a measurable societal safety benefit through the reduction of crashes. According to the TxDOT Highway Safety Improvement Plan, the following Work Codes can be applied to the crash types along the corridor: MicroStrategy 131, 403, 407: Improve Pedestrian Signals, Install Pedestrian Crosswalk and Install Sidewalks. Of the 537 crashes, two are eligible for the reduction factor within the Work Codes based on the proposed improvements. Improving the transportation infrastructure along this corridor will lead to a measurable reduction in crashes, thereby improving safety and reducing the economic costs of crashes along the corridor throughout the 20-year planning horizon. Economy: Research has shown that the installation of a shared-use path can increase, one-time, the property values of residential properties by five percent within 600 feet of a project and increase commercial property values by nine percent along a corridor. The annual tax generation, throughout the planning horizon, is a benefit to the community. Health: Research has shown that the installation of a shared-use path encourages and increases bike usage in a community. The ability to safely bicycle to work or for leisure leads to a health benefit. Recreation: Research has shown that the installation of a shared-use path encourages and increases recreational bike usage in the community on non-working days. Access/EJ: H-GAC uses primary and secondary indicators to determine if a population is an environmental justice (EJ) population, as defined by Executive Order 12898 and regional policy. The goal of an EJ assessment is to ensure projects are not disproportionately affecting EJ populations. However, transportation projects can also have beneficial impacts to EJ populations, such as providing increased access to recreational and educational opportunities, as well as labor markets. Based on the Census data, the project area has a higher than regional average of senior population. Connectivity: Shared-use paths are designed to connect communities, activity centers, recreational uses, and other uses. The proposed path will connect to schools (College Park High School, Sam Houston State University, Lone Star College), supermarkets (Walmart, Costco Wholesale), churches, and businesses.

6. Describe the proposed improvement/activity (Description).

The project will fill gaps in the existing trail network by constructing a new twelve-foot concrete path on the north side of College Park Drive from Alden Woods to Trade Center Boulevard, then continuing up the west side of Trade Center Boulevard to Harpers Landing. Work will also include a railroad crossing on the northern end of the alignment with gate arms and panels. Construction will also include a drainage culvert and tree removal/re-forestation.

7. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose)

The primary objective is to bridge the major barrier of I-45, which prohibits connectivity throughout The Woodlands pedestrian and bicycle network. With a portion of The Township on the east side of this highway, there is a major access barrier to the central part of The Woodlands and the core of the pedestrian and bicycle network. This project will fill the gap from existing pathways in Harpers Landing to the existing pathways on College Park Drive to the west of Campus Drive. In addition to the primary objective, the project will provide quantifiable benefits for safety, the economy, health, recreation, access, environmental justice, and connectivity. It will decrease vehicle hours traveled and reduce emissions of NOx and VOCs. The Woodlands Township considers the project as addressing crucial gaps in the existing active transportation network, as documented in its Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan.

8. Have any MPOID numbers been assigned to this project?

No

9. Have any TxDOT Control-Section-Job (CSJ) numbers been assigned to this project?

No

10. What is the estimated total capital investment required for the project?

Less than $100 million

A. Investment Category & Strategy

Active Transportation

11. Please provide the federal funding amount requested.

2664800

12. Please upload the funding commitment letter or letters of support from the local government.

committment letter College Park Drive Shared Use Path TIP Submittal 2018.pdf

Project Development/Readiness

1. Please select the level of engineering completed.

Not Started

2. What is the completed or anticipated level of environmental documentation required for the proposed project?

Categorical Exclusion (CE)

A. What was/is the anticipated completion date of the environmental clearance?

05/31/2021

B. Type of Categorical Exclusion (CE)? (Optional)

(c)(2) Acquisition, construction, maintenance, rehabilitation, and improvement or limited expansion of stand-alone recreation, pedestrian, or bicycle facilities, such as: a shared-use pathway, lane, trail, or pedestrian bridge; and transit plaza amenities.

3. Will any of the following be required to implement the project? US Army Corps of Engineers Permits

No

US Coast Guard Permits

No

Railroad Agreements

No

None of the Above

Yes

4. Will the acquisition of Right of Way or an easement be required to implement the project?

No

5. Has utility coordination been initiated for the project?

No

6. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency?

No

7. Please upload project development timeline. A sample of Best-Case Scenario project development timeline can be downloaded here for your review. (Optional)

03_College Park Drive Timeline.xlsx

8. Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. (6000 characters max) (Optional)

The College Park Drive Shared-Use Path project has been under development for several years and was included as a “short term” project in The Woodlands Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (adopted October 26, 2016). This project stems from the Woodlands Township Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. The plan involved a robust stakeholder outreach process that included the bicycle community as well as the general public. The plan has been adopted by the Township Board. The project was developed with implementation in mind and have been selected for TIP submission due to their “fast track” status. The project does not require right-of-way, does not require utility relocation, and is strongly supported by the community. The project can be designed and implemented very quickly through either the Township’s FTA program or through TxDOT. It is eligible for FTA transfer due to the proximity and connectivity to Woodlands Transit park and ride operations. The Woodlands has restrictions along ROW in the Township: restricted open space reserve, dedicated forest path (commercial parcels), and dedicated pathway easements. It is not anticipated that ROW acquisition will be necessary. The Township has notified TxDOT (SH 242/College Park is a TxDOT facility) about the project. Because the improvements will occur in Township ROW, TxDOT has agreed to allow the Township to submit this project for TIP funding. Utility coordination has not been initiated. It is not anticipated that utilities will be relocated, and it is not expected that utility coordination will be needed.

9. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment (Optional)

TWT College Park Dr TIP Readiness Materials.zip

Map/Location

1. Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map for the proposed project. (MPK ESRI Map Package file preferred)

TWT College Park Drive MPK map.zip

Project Budget

1. Please attach a completed project budget worksheet. Templates are available on the 2018 Call for projects website.

04_College Park Drive Budget Worksheet.xlsx

2. Are Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) being requested?

No

Benefit/Cost Analysis

1. Safety Benefits

Transit-Active-Transportation-Safety-Benefits-twt-college.zip

2. Delay Benefits

10312018115643AM.zip

3. Emissions Benefits

Active-Transportation-Emissions-Benefits-twt-college.zip

4. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

TWT College Park Supporting files.zip

6. Please provide a brief narrative describing the methodology, input data and results. (Optional)

The proposed project provides facilities for both bicyclists and pedestrians. There are different users and trip lengths for bicyclists and pedestrians; thus 2 sets of sheets are submitted for each category.

Planning Factors - Barrier Elimination (Active Transportation)

1. Does the proposed facility provide safe and convenient routes across barriers such as freeways, railroads, and waterways?

Yes

2. Does the proposed bicycle/pedestrian facility close a gap in the existing bicycle network that aligns with a regional bikeway?

Yes

Planning Factors - Emissions Reductions

1. Please provide the air quality improvements (estimated NOX tons/year) the proposed facility provides.

0.54 tons/year

2. Please provide the air quality improvements (estimated VOCs tons/year) the proposed facility provides.

0.12 tons/year

Planning Factors - Environmental Justice

1. Is the proposed project located in or is adjoining an environmental justice sensitive area (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

A. If Yes, Will the project incorporate measures that reduce, minimize or avoid adverse effects environmental justice sensitive areas (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

Planning Factors - Expands or Improves Bicycle & Pedestrian Connectivity to Employment/Schools/Medical Facilities/Transit Stops/Other Points of Interest

Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of employment?

Yes

A. If yes, please indicate number of jobs the facility directly connects to or is within a 1/4 mile.

901 - 1000

2. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of a school or university?

Yes

3. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of medical facility?

Yes

4. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of Transit Center or Transit Stop?

Yes

5. Does the facility directly connect to or within 1/4 mile of other points of interest?

Yes

Planning Factors - Planning Coordination

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a regional/sub regional/or locally adopted plan including regional thoroughfare plans? Or Has the sponsor conducted interagency coordination with other local or state agency affected by the proposed project?

Yes

A. If yes, please provide the title of the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

The project is included in The Woodlands Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan

B. If yes, please provide a link to the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

https://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/1212/PedestrianBicycle-Master-Plan