2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 2100 Widening Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 5:13:41 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1500 characters max The need for the proposed FM 2100 improvements is substantiated by rapid population growth and outward development of east and northeast Houston, and by the inability of the existing roadway system to sustain current and future traffic demand. The existing facility is a two-lane undivided highway and does not meet current design standards. The proposed project is needed to improve safety and facilitate mobility in east Harris County. The Annual Daily Traffic (ADT) volume along this section of FM 2100 is approximately 19,000 vpd and is expected to increase to 29,900 vpd by 2035, a 57% increase over the next 20 years. Currently within the project limits, FM 2100 is utilized most heavily by local residents. Traffic moves very slowly through the project limits during peak travel times when commuters utilize the roadway to access I-10, FM 2090, FM 1960 and US 90. FM 2100 also experiences increased use during the vacation season due to recreational activities associated with Lake Houston. The current posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour (mph) and the flow of traffic is controlled by a combination of signals and signs. Numerous private and commercial driveways front FM 2100 and more than 20 side streets intersect the roadway within the project limits. As the Houston Metro area continues to develop, more regional traffic would utilize FM 2100 for circumferential movement. TxDOT proposes to upgrade FM 2100 from a two-lane, undivided facility to a four-lane, divided facility due to mobility needs and safety concerns. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1500 characters max The project would accommodate future traffic volumes and reduce congestion, facilitate left and right turning movements at intersections, and upgrade the facility to meet current design and safety standards. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1500 characters max The proposed FM 2100 would typically consist of four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction. The roadway would be divided by a curbed raised median. The proposed project would require additional ROW at various locations. Drainage along the roadway would be modified to convey drainage through a curb and gutter system from South Diamondhead Boulevard to Hare Cook Road. A shared use lane would be provided to accommodate bicycles in this section. From Hare Cook Road to FM 1960, roadside drainage ditches would be used to convey drainage. A wide outside shoulder would be provided to accommodate bicycles in this section. Sidewalks would be constructed throughout the project. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
3000 characters max Several conceptual design alternatives most likely to meet the project’s need and purpose were identified and evaluated by the project study team. These alternatives were analyzed using affects to property owners, mobility benefits, environmental effects, safety, and cost and funding feasibility. The proposed build alternative is the recommended alternative because it utilizes the existing FM 2100 alignment, improves area mobility and facilitates future expansion of other local roadways, minimizes environmental effects, improves driving conditions, and is compatible with available funding. Please describe any opportunities for staged construction of the project.
1500 characters max See the Corridor map for staging of this corridor. The project in this application is approximately 7.7 miles long and requires ROW for most of its length. Opportunities for staged construction are limited. Staged Construction Attachment

FM2100_Corridor.pdf

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? Environmental Assessment (EA) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? Please Select 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 A USACE permit will be required, and can be obtained by August 2017 Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 08/01/2007 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? Yes How many parcels or portions thereof remain to be acquired? 77 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 07/01/2018 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). A preliminary utility evaluation was conducted and no major utilities were identified within the project limits. Adjustment of minor utilities will likely be required. At this time, it is not anticipated that utility adjustments will impact the project schedule. Any utility adjustments would be done by the provider, with TxDOT reimbursement if eligible. 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. Two public meetings were held for this project – on October 21, 2003 and September 25, 2007. A public hearing is planned for mid-2015. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. PS&E is at 30%. 77 acres of ROW are required; the number of parcels will be determined when ROW mapping is complete. The public hearing will be held in 2015. The Env document is 60% complete. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

1062-04-057 - Schematic - FM 2100.pdf

Map/Location

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

1062-04-057 - GIS - FM 2100 from Hare Cook to Antelope.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.

1062-04-057 - Budget - FM2100.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

1062-04-057 - BCT - FM 2100.pdf

Analysis Narrativet

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Narrative Benefits

Safety: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would bring the facility up to current design standards. The proposed addition of a raised median would improve safety by separating opposing traffic and controlling left-turn maneuvers. Safety Narrative Attachmentt

Congestion: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would add capacity and reduce congestion by increasing the number of lanes to two in each direction. The proposed raised median would also reduce conflicts and increase throughput of the facility. Congestion Narrative Attachmentt

Asset Management/Operations: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The improvements would allow the project area to continue to function at an acceptable level of service in spite of increased travel demand. Asset Mgmt/Ops Narrative Attachmentt

Regional Economic Competitiveness: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would improve mobility for commuters in the growing east Harris County area. It would also facilitate recreational trips to nearby Lake Houston. Econ Competitiveness Narrative Attachmentt

Natural/Cultural Resources: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Decreasing congestion would alleviate adverse impacts on air quality on this congested roadway in our nonattainment region, The project would also facilitate recreational trips to nearby Lake Houston. Environment Narrative Attachmentt

1062-04-057 - BIKE - FM 2100 from Hare Cook to Antelope.jpg