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Project Information

FM 2854 Reconstruction Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 2:52:23 PM

Project Narrative

The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following congestion, safety, operations/state of good repair, and economic problems with the current and anticipated conditions of the area, including: • Population and economic growth; • Roadway design deficiencies; • Safety concerns; and • Roadway surface conditions/deterioration. The existing roadway is a two-lane rural section located in the growing urban area of Conroe. The facility is functionally classified as 4: Minor Arterial. Current traffic volumes of 10,000 ADT (2013) are expected to nearly double to 16,862 ADT by the year 2038. Over the past three years, ADT/truck traffic has been as follows: 2011 7,600 ADT/8.1% truck; 2012 8,400 ADT/5.3% truck, and 2013 – 10,000 ADT / 9.2% truck traffic. The roadway, in its original configuration, does not meet current design standards. Currently, there are no medians or turning lanes along the roadway, which creates delay for through traffic and also creates a safety concern for turning traffic. FM 2854 serves as an internal link traversing the City of Conroe’s west side and provides cut-through access between the trucking corridors of LP 336 and IH-45 by allowing travelers to by-pass the more congested area in/around IH 45 and SH 105 interchange and to avoid a significant portion of the more densely developed section of SH 105. This surrounding land use is largely composed of vacant, developable land with small amounts of residential and commercial land use. HGAC’s Announced Changes shows new development planned for the area to the south of the project and significant development occurring on the west side of Loop 336. It’s conceivable that this new traffic would utilize FM 2854 to go into the City of Conroe. As the corridor continues to develop, the growth will augment congestion and increase safety concerns. The facility is currently carrying more than nine percent truck traffic. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • Traffic congestion along the existing FM 2854 is a result of increased traffic demand. The project area has demonstrated continued growth and is anticipated to continue to increase. The existing FM 2854 does not meet the level of service for the existing traffic. • Safety concerns caused by the increase in traffic congestion, turning traffic, and increased population. The project would increase capacity along the corridor and construct a flush two-way left turn lane for a divided highway. The proposed project would enhance safety by upgrading the existing roadway to the current design standards and also by providing the access management treatment of a two-way left turn lane, which is appropriate given the traffic volumes and number of lanes. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will also be provided in the proposed project. The project would enhance connectivity and improve safety for the traveling public between LP 336 and I-45. The proposed project is two miles in length and would widen the existing facility from a two-lane asphalt rural roadway to a four-lane urban (concrete) roadway with a flush two-way left turn lane. The new four-lane section would be consistent with the section of FM 2854 to the east of IH 45 between IH 45 and SH 75, which is a four lane undivided section. Bicycles would be accommodated through the 14-foot outside lane and pedestrians would be accommodated through a sidewalk. The proposed project will require detention ponds and outfall channels as a result of the hydrological analysis. FM 2854 parallels a railroad track on the south, which limits the possibility for other alternatives beyond the preferred alternative. A raised median design was originally proposed, however, the additional widening it required created significant utility relocations, which was opposed by the City of Conroe therefore, the typical section was ultimately replaced with a two-way left turn lane flush median design. This type of treatment is considered good access management practice since the median does remove the turning movements from the through lanes. Staged construction is not possible due to the short facility length.

2744-01-011 - Typical - FM 2854 from LP 336 to IH 45.pdf

Project Narrative

Yes

Scoping.docx

Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes USACE – Nationwide Permit – however, this will not delay construction letting. 06/01/2013 Yes 4 01/01/2017 Yes At this time, there are no significant problems or anticipated delays with respect to the project development timeline. In general, utility relocations are handled by the respective utility company and may be paid for by TxDOT. No

Public Meeting – 4/1/2005 Public Meeting - 9/2005 Public Hearing – Pending

Design is 60 percent complete and right-of-way is on-going; less than five parcels need to be acquired

01-09-15 - 2744-01-011 - BIKE - FM 2854.jpg

Map/Location

2744-01-011 - GIS - FM 2854 from LP 336 to IH 45.jpg

Project Budget

2744-01-011 - Budget - FM2854.xlsx

No

No

Evalutation Questions - Major Investments

Benefit/Cost Methodology

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used

2744-01-011 - BCT - FM 2854 from LP 336 to IH 45.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Narrative Benefits

The proposed improvements will upgrade the facility from a two-lane rural section to a four-lane divided roadway with a flush two-way left turn lane, an appropriate access management treatment given the typical section and volumes. The proposed median type would reduce the potential for head-on collisions and the turning lanes would reduce the potential for rear-end collisions.

Proposed project would help to relieve congestion along this cut-through (by-pass) corridor by adding one additional lane in each direction and a two-way left turn lane, as well as improving driveway access for left turns with a flush median. This will help progression through the corridor.

The reconstruction of the roadway from asphalt to concrete will significantly extend the life of the pavement and push back the need for maintenance by 20 – or more realistically 30 - years or more. Typically, new asphalt roadways need maintenance six to seven years after they have been installed and every six to seven years after that. A concrete roadway does not need maintenance until 20 and more likely 30 or more years after implementation depending upon traffic volume / use.

The current facility carries more than nine percent truck traffic and is a key cut-through from/to IH 45 north for vehicles travelling along SH 105 in order to avoid the more heavily vehicular congestion section of SH 105 between IH 45 north and FM 2854, which already carries eight percent truck traffic. FM 2854 terminates at SH 105 on the far western limit just prior to SH 149, a key north/south facility. In addition, FM 2854 continues eastward to SH 75, which is in the heart of the City of Conroe. This is a critical link for both vehicular and freight traffic.

The no-build scenario will have a negative impact on the community as development occurs and traffic increases, causing congestion and a general deterioration of mobility and increased safety concerns for the traveling public. The build alternative will provide more capacity and improved travel time to handing increasing congestion and provide better connections between Loop 336 and IH 45 north in the western side of the City of Conroe. This will help to improve air quality. In addition, the improved facility with bike accommodations and sidewalks will assist the environmental justice areas of: female head of household and no auto households.

2744-01-011 - BIKE - FM 2854 from LP 336 to IH 45.jpg

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