2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title IH 45 S @ Loop 197 DCs (SB/EB & WB/NB) Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 1:52:10 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1500 characters max The Port of Texas City is a growing petrochemical and industrial port. Current truck access to LP 197 from I-45 requires stopping at two intersections plus a double tracked railroad crossing. Additionally, there is a short weaving area that trucks must maneuver through in order to access LP 197 from the existing interchange. The focal points regarding the need for this project are as follows: • Inefficient transitioning of traffic at the existing IH 45/LP 197 interchange; interchange is currently below current design standards • Traffic congestion and delays due to the at-grade railroad crossing near intersection of LP 197 and SH 146 • Future truck traffic resulting from the development of the Shoal Point Terminal Facility • Current intersection of IH 45/LP 197 is located within the 100-year floodplain The existing interchange does not provide a direct connection between IH 45 and LP 197. Currently, commuters traveling along IH 45 must take the SH 146 exit and travel a short distance along SH 146 before reaching a three-way stop. From this stoplight, commuters can turn right onto LP 197 or continue northward onto SH 146 or SH 3. Atypical curves at this three-way intersection and the IH 45/LP 197 interchange are currently below design standards and do not allow for efficient transitioning, thus increasing the potential for traffic delays. The traffic volume at the intersection of LP 197 and IH 45 is expected to increase by almost 25%, which could contribute to increased inefficiencies without the proposed improvements. The proposed design would eliminate the three-way intersection and provide an interchange that meets current standard design criteria and functions more efficiently and safely. An at-grade railroad crossing currently traverses LP 197 north of the intersection of LP 197 and SH 146. This creates traffic congestion and delays when a train crosses the area and the intersection is blocked. The proposed direct connectors will be elevated over this at-grade railroad crossing, allowing commuters to avoid the crossing and reducing traffic delays. The City of Texas City is constructing a new container terminal northeast of the proposed project. Over 10,000 daily truck trips are expected to be generated in 2025 by the proposed container terminal. The proposed project will provide access from the terminal to LP 197 at the FM 519 intersection. The proposed direct connectors will create an alternative route, providing a more efficient travel route for the increased truck traffic travelling to IH 45 The November 2002 EIS prepared for the Shoal Point terminal project concluded that increased roadway cargo traffic volume would create an unacceptable LOS, or LOS F, at the SH 3 and LP 197 intersection. After construction of the proposed project direct connectors, an LOS of D would be achieved. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1500 characters max The project would provide direct access from I-45 to LP 197. It would eliminate the at-grade intersections and at-grade railroad crossings trucks currently have to navigate. The project would upgrade the design standards and improve safety by providing a modern connection to the port. The purpose of the proposed project includes the following: • To improve existing and future congestion of predicted traffic by constructing continuous non-stop connector ramps from IH 45 to LP 197, and to improve inefficient geometry of the existing IH 45/LP 197 interchange by meeting current design standards • To avoid congestion and delays at the at-grade railroad crossing near the intersection of LP 197 and SH 146 • To provide alternate routes for the increased truck traffic created by the Shoal Point Terminal Facility • To provide an alternate connecting route between IH 45 and LP 197, which is not subject to flooding The existing intersection of IH 45/LP 197 is located within the 100-year floodplain and currently experiences flooding during heavy rainfall periods. This creates traffic congestion and safety concerns. The elevated interchange would not be subject to 100-year flooding and would improve safety and mobility. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1500 characters max The proposed project would construct two direct connectors from southbound I-45 to LP 197 and from LP 197 to northbound I-45. The direct connectors would be on new location as bridge structures that span existing roadways and railroads. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
3000 characters max Various direct connector alternatives and alignments for I-45 and LP 197 were analyzed. Please describe any opportunities for staged construction of the project.
1500 characters max Direct connector projects could be phased one at a time. Staged Construction Attachment

IH45S_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 FONSI received 8/2010; re-eval in progress. An individual permit is needed, and can be acquired by August 2019. Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 04/01/2007 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? 0 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 08/01/2019 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? No Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). If utility adjustments are needed, they are typically made by the utility providers, with TxDOT reimbursement. 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. • Public Meeting – 3/31/2004 • Public Hearing – 5/27/2009 Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Environmental is 100% complete. PS&E and ROW are at 30% complete. Approximately 11 acres of ROW will be required - it is to be determined how many parcels that involves. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

0500-04-112 - Schematic - IH 45 S at TX City Wye to LP 197.pdf

Map/Location

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

0500-04-112 - GIS - IH 45 S at TX City Wye to LP 197.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.

0500-04-112 - Budget - IH45.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

0500-04-112 - BCT - IH 45 S at TX City Wye to LP 197.pdf

Analysis Narrativet

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Narrative Benefits

Safety: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would increase safety by constructing connectors that bypass existing at-grade intersections and railroads. The project would provide a dedicated route for truck traffic destined to or from the Port of Texas City. The existing intersection of IH 45/LP 197 is located within the 100-year floodplain and currently experiences flooding during heavy rainfall periods. This creates traffic congestion and safety concerns. The elevated interchange would not be subject to the 100-year flood and would improve safety and mobility. Safety Narrative Attachmentt

Congestion: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would improve mobility for truck traffic in the Texas City area by providing direct connectors to I-45. It would also eliminate the at-grade railroad crossing. Congestion Narrative Attachmentt

Asset Management/Operations: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The improvements are needed to enable the roadways to continue to carry the increasing level of traffic. The current facility is below current design standards, and lies within the 100-year floodplain. Water standing on the roadway contributes to pavement degeneration. The elevated interchange would not be subject to the 100-year flood and would improve safety and mobility. Asset Mgmt/Ops Narrative Attachmentt

Regional Economic Competitiveness: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would connect a regionally significant interstate highway to a major seaport. The location is currently a freight bottleneck, and improvements would ease the transport of goods through the region. Econ Competitiveness Narrative Attachmentt

Natural/Cultural Resources: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The project would reduce delay for truck traffic by providing a higher speed facility without the multiple existing stop conditions. This would reduce adverse impacts on air quality in our nonattainment area. Environment Narrative Attachmentt

0500-04-112 - BIKE - IH 45 S at TX City Wye to LP 197.jpg