2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title North Gessner Mobility Improvements Primary Agency Memorial City Redevelopment Authority Date Submitted 1/12/2015 11:49:05 AM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The North Gessner Phase II project consists of the reconstruction of Gessner Drive (an urban minor arterial) between Westview Dr. and Long Point Rd. This is the second phase of an access management project that will span from I-10 to Long Point. Gessner south of I-10 has already been reconstructed to include access management solutions. This project will remedy the following problems: - Access management along the corridor is very poor. The project will consolidate driveways and adjust median locations along the facility. - The poor access management has also lead to over 110 crashes since 2009 along the quarter mile stretch of roadway. The proposed improvements will reduce the incidence of future collisions through the improvement of sight lines and reducing conflict points through the reconstruction of the existing median. - Existing pavement conditions are poor. The project will reconstruct the roadway. - Existing stormwater drainage is poor. The project will improve drainage capacity as part of the Regional Drainage Plan. - Existing pedestrian facilities are in poor condition. The sidewalks will be reconstructed and upgraded to current City of Houston standards. This will allow for 5-6' wide sidewalks, dependent upon final designation of a transit corridor by the City of Houston. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The primary outcome of this project is the completion of a project (in totality) that spans both sides of I-10 (as the south side is already complete) and allows for an accessible and safe corridor connecting Memorial City mall, Memorial City Medical Center, and the large amount of residential uses along the Gessner corridor. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max This project involves the complete reconstruction of Gessner Drive from Long Point Road to Westview Drive. The portion just south of this segment, from Westview to I-10 will be let in 2016 by the Memorial City Redevelopment Authority. The portion of Gessner south of I-10 was completed in late 2014. The proposed project under consideration will i will include drainage improvements, roadway rehabilitation, and sidewalk reconstruction. This project is included within the FY2015 City of Houston approved CIP. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max The only alternative to this project is the no-build alternative. The no build alternative will result in no improvement to this section of Gessner and the and continued degradation of infrastructure. The existing access points along the corridor will continue to contribute to a high crash rate and result in a loss of time, productivity, and potentially life. The unnecessary delays created by the high accident rate will negatively impact traffic flow as well as activity at adjacent businesses.

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. No Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

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? No Please describe the permits needed and the timeline anticipated to acquire them.
1000 characters max Please provide an estimated completion date for the 30% Design/PS&E milestone. 01/10/2012 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.). All Memorial City Redevelopment Authority projects undergo a utility evaluation prior to project letting. Utilities are only relocated if their current location presents a conflict with the final project design. Relocates are performed by CenterPoint as part of the franchise agreement CenterPoint has with the City of Houston. All utilities are relocated in coordination and prior to the construction phase of the project. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? Yes Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. The City of Houston Public Works and Planning Departments have provided a letter of support. It is attached for reference. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

COH Ltr of Support-2015 TIP Applicant projects.pdf

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. This project has been discussed at the following public meetings: (http://www.houstontirz17.org/meetings/) - TIRZ 17 Board Meeting - August 26, 2014 (Ratify 2015 Operating Budget and 2015-2019 CIP plan as approved by City Council) - TIRZ 17 Board Meeting - September 30, 2014 (continued discussion from August 26 meeting) - TIRZ 17 Board Meeting, August 15, 2014 (Discuss proposal from Klotz and Associates for North Gessner engineering) - TIRZ 17 Board Meeting, April 29, 2014 (Open discussion regarding FY2015 CIP prioritization and budget drafts) - TIRZ 17 Board Meeting, March 25, 2014 (Prioritization and acceleration of N. Gessner Drainage and Mobility Improvements in FY15 Budget) Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Preliminary Engineering Report completed in October 2012 by LAN. This has been attached below as part of the readiness documentation. This PER is being updated by LAN/Klotz as of August 2014. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

Gessner_PR_Package.pdf

Map/Location

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

Gessner Roadway Improvement.mpk

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.

Gessner - Project Budget.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 - Roadway/Mobility (Non-ITS)

Safety – Accident Cost Savings

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and appropriate narrative of analysis used.

Gessner_Westview.LongPoint(1.8.15FINAL).xlsx

Gessner Analysis Narrative.pdf

Regional Impact

No N/A No N/A Yes Gessner is currently utilized by METRO fixed-route bus service and Gessner is designated as a "Frequent Route Service" (15 minutes or less) area as part of the METRO reimagined route network.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes The project will feature the construction of a raised median and the consolidation of driveways Yes The sidewalks will be reconstructed as part of this project. The sidewalks will be constructed in accordance to No N/A

Community

Yes The project is recommended in the Memorial City Redevelopment Authority Regional Drainage Study. Project completion is also recommended in the West Houston Mobility Study. http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/6813/9964/8416/Report20Text.pdf

Yes Gessner is identified as a major thoroughfare in the City of Houston Major Thoroughfare Plan. It is identified as a corridor that is of sufficient width. However, keeping this roadway in a state-of-good repair is necessary to maintain a good level of service along the roadway.