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FM 2100 Widening Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 5:19:56 PMProject Narrative
FM 2100 is a north-south principal arterial that connects to other east-west principal arterials, including FM 1960 and US 90, as well as IH 10. The existing facility is a two-lane undivided highway that does not meet current design standards, and medians and turning lanes do not exist along the roadway, which cause increased delays for through and turning traffic. The proposed project is needed to improve safety and facilitate mobility in east Harris County, and to address the inability of the existing roadway to sustain current and future traffic demand. Additionally, FM 2100 is a noted high-crash facility, with 5 fatalities between 2011 and 2014. 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 IH 10, FM 1960 and US 90. The need for the proposed FM 2100 improvements is substantiated by rapid population growth and outward development of east and northeast Houston. Harris County has seen significant population growth in recent years. According to US Census Bureau’s population estimates, the total population of Harris County was estimated to be 4,336,853 in 2013, a 6% increase since the 2010 Census. The total population of Harris County grew by 20% between the 2000 (population: 3,400,578) and 2010 Census (population: 4,092,459). As the Houston Metro area continues to develop, more regional traffic will utilize FM 2100 for circumferential movement. There are many residential developments in the vicinity of FM 2100, and additional vacant land that is developable. Due to the roadway’s proximity to Lake Houston, it is likely that development will continue to increase in the area. H-GAC’s “Announced Changes” map indicates planned residential developments on the portion of FM 2100 north of FM 1960. In the past few years, FM 2100 has seen a marked increase in traffic from plant workers in the Highlands area who live in Northeast Harris County and Southern Montgomery County. FM 2100 is their fastest route to work and is heavily travelled. The various signalized intersections are especially congested at times corresponding to shift changes at the plants. 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 and the flow of traffic is controlled by a combination of signals and signs. The purpose of this project is to improve the traffic movement (operational efficiency) and safety of FM 2100. The project would increase capacity along the corridor and construct medians for a divided highway. The project would enhance safety by upgrading the existing roadway to the current design standards. Widening to four lanes will allow slower traffic and those turning to be passed, thus reducing the likelihood of rear-end collisions. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would be provided in the proposed project. The project would enhance connectivity between FM 1960 and the future SH 99 Segment H. Proposed project would widen from a 2-lane rural to a 4-lane urban roadway with raised medians and additional turning bays at intersections. Bicycles would be accommodated through the 15-foot outside lane and pedestrians would be accommodated through a sidewalk. 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. This is one of five projects to reconstruct and widen FM 2100.Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes USACE – NWP 14; Date anticipated: 02/01/2017 01/01/2012 Yes 100 02/01/2017 Yes The adjustment and relocation of any utilities would be handled so that no substantial interruptions would take place while these adjustments are being made. The appropriate entity or utility company would be responsible for the adjustments and relocations, according to standard TxDOT procedures. No Two public meetings – on October 21, 2003 and September 25, 2007. A public hearing is planned for mid-2015. PS&E currently at 30%. Environmental document status at 60%.Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used
Narrative Benefits
Proposed project reconstructs the 2-lane roadway to a 4-lane divided roadway with a raised median and turning lanes, and brings facility up to current design standards. The proposed raised medians would reduce the potential for head-on collisions and the turning lanes would reduce the potential for rear-end collisions. FM 2100 is a noted high-crash facility with 5 fatalities between 2011-2014. Proposed project would relieve congestion along the corridor by adding one additional lane in each direction and add turning bays at intersections and median crossovers. FM 2100 is on the City of Houston’s thoroughfare plan. FM 2100 will be constructed out of concrete. 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 to 30 years or more. Typically, new asphalt roadways need maintenance six to seven years after they have been installed. A concrete roadway does not need maintenance until 20 and more likely 30 or more years after implementation depending upon traffic volume / use. The project would improve mobility for commuters in the growing east Harris County area, where it acts as the major north-south corridor. It would also facilitate recreational trips to nearby Lake Houston. The project would enhance regional connectivity to the future SH 99 segment H. TxDOT’s approach to natural and cultural resources is avoid, minimize, and mitigate negative impacts. Reducing congestion would improve adverse impacts on air quality in this nonattainment area. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will be provided by this project.1062-02-009 - BIKE- FM 2100 from FM 1960 to N of Wolf Rd.jpg