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

FM 565 Boulevard Widening

2. Project County

Chambers County

3. Facility/Street Name

FM 565

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

Future Grand Parkway (SH 99) to the eastern city limits (CWA Canal)

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

The project focuses on the 1.7-mile segment of FM 565 from the eastern Mont Belvieu city limits (CWA Canal) to the future SH 99. FM 565 was constructed as a two-lane asphalt roadway that extends from IH 10 to the east to SH 146 to the west. This segment is being evaluated due to the existing roadway is currently at capacity, impacts to the critical intersection of FM 565 at Eagle Drive of Mont Belvieu, and provides access to the future SH 99 and livable center. At Capacity FM 565 serves as a major arterial for Mont Belvieu and carries a significant amount of traffic from the residential to the employment areas. For a two-lane roadway, the current daily traffic is at capacity. It is expected that significant future growth will occur within the segment of FM 565 near the major intersection within Mont Belvieu, Eagle Drive at FM 565. The four-lane boulevard section would provide the necessary capacity to mitigate the existing over-capacity conditions and accommodate the future growth. Critical Intersection Improvements The intersection of Eagle Drive at FM 565 provides connectivity from the residential areas along Eagle Drive in Mont Belvieu and in Old River Winfree, community located in the northeast, to the employment area along SH 146. In addition to the residential traffic traveling to the employment area, a study is currently being conducted by H-GAC for a livable center that would be located at the intersection of FM 565 at Eagle Drive and extend west along FM 565 and south along to the SH 99. The Mont Belvieu livable center would consist of mixed commercial, civic, and residential land uses, entertainment, and facilities that support the arts and culture. The livable center will develop vital amenities that provide connectivity and new modes of transportation such as trail connectivity and bicycle traffic. The livable center will assist in creating a localized economy as well as a funding source for the City for future projects. The livable center project would drive future infrastructure to accommodate the anticipated growth and needs of the City. The proposed FM 565 widening project would be the catalyst for the livable center project to get developed (kick start), since it will connect the SH 99 with Eagle Drive. North/South Connectivity The access at FM 565 from the SH 99 would provide an east/west connection to a new north/south corridor and remove through traffic from the already saturated Eagle Drive corridor that serves primarily school traffic and residential traffic. The continuation of the SH 99 in Mont Belvieu will provide a connection to the surrounding communities, such as Porter, The Woodlands, and Cypress by bypassing the high-density areas. The construction of the SH 99 serves as another catalyst for the future livable center development. In many areas, commercial/retail development have been constructed along the SH 99. The livable center would continue this type of development along SH 99.

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

The project consists of widening FM 565 from a two-lane asphalt road from the future Grand Parkway (SH 99) to the Eastern City Limits to a four-lane divided roadway with a raised median and with curb and gutter. Additional right-of-way would need to be acquired to have 120’ right-of-way section and would be able to accommodate bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The existing water main, east of Loop 207 and east of Eagle Drive, runs along the north side of FM 565 and would both need to be relocated north, closer to the new northern right-of-way line. The existing sanitary sewer main would not be relocated but would be underneath the proposed pavement. FM 565 serves as a second connection, besides IH 10, between the residential areas along Eagle Drive and to the east along FM 565 to the employment areas along SH 146. Based on the Mont Belvieu Comprehensive Plan, significant growth is anticipated in this area. The two catalysts for growth in this area can be attributed to the future SH 99 intersecting FM 565 and the on-going plan for of the livable center, proposed on FM 565 near Eagle Drive and the SH 99. As part of the livable center, the connection from the livable center to the planned bicycle/pedestrian trails would provide connectivity to surrounding areas. The diversion of traffic from Eagle Drive, a saturated corridor, to the SH 99 and anticipated generated traffic from the livable center warrant the need for added capacity on FM 565.

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

This project would add the necessary added capacity in place to accommodate the expected future growth, vital connections to surrounding areas, and promote different modes of transportation. Added Capacity The project would put in place the necessary roadway improvements to support the growth in the area. The 1.7-mile segment is part of the FM 565 loop in the Mont Belvieu area that provides access between residential and employment areas as well as the future Grand Parkway (SH 99), a major north/south corridor. The FM 565 project and the Grand Parkway (SH 99) would be the catalysts to the livable center development along FM 565 in the east-west direction and south along the Grand Parkway (SH 99). There are anticipated trails that are proposed south of FM 565. The future development of the livable center would also include the construction of the trails and provide connectivity from Hackberry Gully Park on the south to FM 565 to the north. Also, it is expected that the construction of the livable center along FM 565 will include bicycle lanes along the FM 565 corridor to create a walkable community. Surrounding Area Connections Based on the location of Mont Belvieu, the main access into Houston and any of the surrounding areas would be IH 10 and the Grand Parkway (SH 99). For accessing areas such as Porter, The Woodlands, or Cypress, all traffic would have to travel into the high congested areas. The construction of the Grand Parkway (SH 99) would allow for easier mobility and a more direct route to these areas and provide a connection between these areas that did not exist before. FM 565 will serve as a connection to the Grand Parkway (SH 99) for residents of Mont Belvieu. Although the Grand Parkway (SH 99) can be accessed on IH 10, this project will provide an improved connection to travel north on the Grand Parkway (SH 99). Modes of Transportation The livable center is expected to provide connectivity to the trail network that is proposed for the area. The internal road system for the livable center will include more use of bicycle and pedestrian traffic as well as trolleys and buses. The available right-of-way that would be requested for FM 565 of this project would result in the capability of accommodating bicycle and pedestrian traffic near the livable center.

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

(Expand) Roadway Added Capacity/New Construction/Complete Streets

11. Please provide the federal funding amount requested.

14498004

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

Letters of Funding Commitment and Support.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?

12/01/2020

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

An open-ended (d) categorical exclusion would be needed for the widening of FM 565 project.

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?

Yes

A. What was/is the estimated completion date for Right of Way/easement mapping?

12/01/2020

B. What was/is the estimated start date for Right of Way/easement acquisition?

12/01/2020

C. What was/is the estimated completion date for Right of Way/easement acquisition?

06/30/2022

D. How many parcels must be acquired to implement the project?

8. The Right of Way acquisition was identified in the FM 565 Realignment study prepared in July 2016. Per the study, there are 5 single family residences and 3 commercial tracts, a total of 8 parcels, that will be impacted slightly with encroachment in the form of reduced parking or driveway. No residential or commercial properties will be heavily impacted and will need to be bought out.

E. How many parcels have been acquired to date?

0

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)

Pre-App 7. Project Development-Readiness--Project Schedule.pdf

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

TxDOT is currently in the design phase for a 1.711-mile improvement of FM 565 between SL 207 and FM 3360, which extends within our project limits and further west. The project involves providing additional paved surface width. Install milled edgeline and centerline rumble strips. The construction cost for the project is $599,886. The bid received date is April 2019. TxDOT is currently in the design phase for a 2.1-mile improvement on FM 565 between Old River Drive and BB Lane, which extends within the eastern portion of our project limits and continues further east. The project involves constructing paved shoulders and installing a continuous turn lane. The construction cost for the project is $2,727,985. The bid received date is March 2019.

9. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment (Optional)

Pre-App 9. Project Development_Rediness_FM 565 Realignment Study.pdf

Map/Location

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

Pre-App 1. Map Location--FM 565.pdf

Project Budget

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

Pre-App 1. Project Budget--FM 565.pdf

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

No

Benefit/Cost Analysis

1. Safety Benefits

Benefit Spreadsheet 1. Benefit Cost Analysis--Safety Benefits.xlsx

2. Delay Benefits

1030201840819PM.xlsx

3. Emissions Benefits

Benefit Spreadsheet 3. Benefit Cost Analysis--Emissions.xlsx

4. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

BC 6. Benefit Cost Analysis--HGAC Projections.pdf

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

The year 2018, 2025 and 2045 traffic volumes were taken from the H-GAC travel demand model, provided by H-GAC.

Planning Factors - Connectivity to Employment/Eliminates At-Grade Railroad Crossings

1. Does the facility directly connect to or is located within 1/2 mile of employment?

Yes

A. If yes, please indicate number of jobs the facility directly connects to or is within a 1/2 mile?

1 - 500 Jobs

2. Does the proposed project eliminate or prevent at grade railroad crossing?

No

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?

No

Planning Factors - Improves Corridor Level of Travel Time Reliability (LOTTR)

1. The proposed project will reduce Planning Time Index (PTI) by:

0.11 - 0.20

2. Please upload your completed LOTTR template.

AC App 5. Other Investments-Corridor Level of Travel Time Reliability-- LOTTR Estimation.xlsx

Planning Factors - Improves Multimodal LOS

1. Does the proposed project improve highway/freight LOS?

Yes

2. Does the proposed project improve transit LOS?

No

3. Does the proposed project improve bike/pedestrian LOS?

Yes

4. Please provide a brief narrative explaining how proposed project improves multimodal LOS (Auto, Bike/Ped, and Transit).

The widening of FM 565 to a boulevard section with the additional Right of Way that would be acquired allows for the ability to provide dedicated bicycle and pedestrian facilities. The proposed project would be driven by the livable center, which encourages the use of different modes of transportation. In addition, a trail network is being evaluated to span from the livable area to Hackberry Gully Park. Attached is the LOS worksheet.

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.

Mont Belvieu Study by H-GAC for a Livable Center; Mont Belvieu 2035 Comprehensive Plan

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

http://www.montbelvieu.net/DocumentCenter/View/1117

Planning Factors - Roadway Hierarchy/Freight System Priority/Evacuation Route

1. Please select the functional classification of the roadway on which the proposed project is located, based on the characteristics of the roadway after the project is implemented. The FHWA Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures is provided in the link below.

Principal Arterial

2. Is your project located on one of the following? Greater Houston Freight System

No

Locally Designated Freight Corridor

No

State Designated Evacuation Route

No

None of the Above

Yes