2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title SH 75 Widening Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 12:55:31 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1500 characters max The existing roadway is functionally classified as 3: principle arterial and is a two-lane highway with a continuous two way left turn lane that carries six percent truck traffic within the heart of the City of Conroe. The facility lies within an area that is largely commercial, mixed use, with some residential development and vacant land. SH 75 (aka S. Frazier Street) is the primary north-south roadway in central City of Conroe and it serves as a local access/relief route for IH-45 north. Current traffic volumes are expected to nearly double by the year 2038. SH 75 immediately north of Gladstell Street is a five-lane section of roadway, therefore, the existing three-lane section (proposed project) acts as an artificial choke point (bottleneck) between the center of Conroe and I-45. The proposed project is needed in order to: • eliminate a bottleneck, • provide better mobility for the new transit services; • provide bicycle accommodations, • improve roadway safety, and • facilitate mobility within the City of Conroe in Montgomery County. The project is needed due to: • Projected traffic demands; • Need for upgrades to current design standards; and • Safety concerns • Congestion in through lanes from right turning movements. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1500 characters max The project would increase capacity along the corridor to two-lanes each direction. The project would enhance safety by upgrading the existing roadway to the current design standards. The project would enhance connectivity between downtown Conroe and IH-45, increase capacity for newly developing transit services, and provide bike accommodations. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve traffic movements (operational efficiency) and safety between Gladstell Street and SL 336 by widening the existing three-lane, undivided facility to a four-lane undivided facility. The proposed project would increase public safety and provide improved service to the greater Houston area, particularly during peak travel times and hurricane evacuation events since local traffic could use SH 75 as an alternate route for local movements during a hurricane evacuation events along IH 45 north. The purpose of the project: • Increase capacity to accommodate demand; • Enhance public safety; and • Improve traffic movements (operational efficiency). Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1500 characters max The proposed project would widen the existing facility to a four-lane highway. It would upgrade the highway to the latest design standards by increasing lane widths, accommodating bicyclists, and addressing drainage concerns on the facility. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
3000 characters max The proposed project widens the existing roadway within the existing right-of-way. The UPRR is immediately parallel to the east of the road, which limits the ability to consider additional alternatives beyond the build, no-build alternative. Please describe any opportunities for staged construction of the project.
1500 characters max The project is approximately one mile long with no opportunities for staged construction. Staged Construction Attachment

Project Narrative

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 Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

Scoping.docx

What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? (c)(22) Projects that would take place entirely within the existing operational ROW Will any permits from the Army Corps of Engineers, US Coast Guard, railroad, etc. be required before the project can be constructed? Yes Please describe the permits needed and the timeline anticipated to acquire them.
1000 characters max USACE – Nationwide 14 Permit While permits may be necessary, TxDOT does not anticipate permits delaying this project. The project does not required a RR agreement. Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 12/01/2013 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? No How many parcels or portions thereof remain to be acquired? Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). No utility relocations are anticipated. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? No Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. NAO Public Hearing; date TBD NEPA clearance is pending project inclusion in the TIP. The project was previously selected in an HGAC Call for Projects; therefore, it also has gone through the public involvement process as part of TIP selection and inclusion in the RTP Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. PS&E is 60% complete. No ROW required. Environmental is 95% complete (pending inclusion in the TIP in order to obtain NEPA clearance). Project was previously selected as part of a TIP Call for Projects and is included in the RTP. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

Map/Location

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

01-05-2014 - 0110-04-129 - GIS - SH 75.jpg

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.

01-07-15 - 0110-04-129 Budget - SH75.xlsx

Is this application for a transit project, ITS project, or other project that would have a significant ongoing operating/maintenance cost? No Please attach a completed 5-year annual operating 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.

Are transportation development credits being requested? No Please attach a completed TDC application.
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.

Benefit/Cost Methodology

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

BCA Excel spreadsheet

0110-04-129 - BCT - SH 75 from Gladstell to IH 45.pdf

Analysis Narrativet

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Narrative Benefits

Safety: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The proposed roadway would provide an additional lane for passing and for turning movements. The facility currently carries six percent truck traffic. The proposed improvements would help to eliminate “head-on,” and “t-bone” type conflicts that typically arise with a continuous left-turn lane and will also help to eliminate rear end type conflicts that are common with a facility that has one through-lane in each direction. Furthermore, the outside lane would be widened to the current standard, which accommodates bicyclists. Additionally, the City of Conroe is currently building bus facilities along this corridor. Having the additional thru lanes will reduce the congestion that comes with having bus stops on the street and improve the safety for both motorists and bus riders. Safety Narrative Attachmentt

Congestion: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Proposed project would relieve congestion along the corridor by adding capacity. The roadway currently has two through lanes and one two-way left-turn lane. This project would increase the capacity to four through lanes in this corridor. The additional capacity would also provide better access for the new bus facility being constructed by the City of Conroe along this corridor. Congestion Narrative Attachmentt

Asset Management/Operations: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The proposed project widens an existing facility and updates design elements to current standards (lane width, etc.). These improvements, coupled with the addition of bike accommodations, will extend the life of the project. Asset Mgmt/Ops Narrative Attachmentt

Regional Economic Competitiveness: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Proposed project provides a critical link between the downtown Conroe area and I-45, a major north-south corridor from Gulf Coast through east Texas. The improvements will assist in movement of the six percent truck traffic that is currently traveling on the facility and expected to grow. The addition of bicycle accommodations will increase the quality of life for residents in the area and serve as a desirable amenity. Econ Competitiveness Narrative Attachmentt

Natural/Cultural Resources: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The no-build scenario will have negative impacts of increased congestion, increased crashes, and no bike accommodation, on the local community, which includes all of the environmental justice areas: low income households, non-English households, minority percentage, female head of household, populations over 65, limited education, and no auto households. Furthermore, easing congestion will help avoid adverse impacts on air quality in this nonattainment area. Environment Narrative Attachmentt

0110-04-129 - BIKE - SH 75.jpg