2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Memorial Drive Mobility Improvements Primary Agency Memorial City Redevelopment Authority Date Submitted 1/12/2015 11:47:06 AM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The roadway condition of Memorial Drive (an urban minor arterial) from BW 8 to Tallowood Road has deteriorated and is in need of roadway rehabilitation, the construction of new sidewalks, as well as improvements to the current storm water management system. In part, the project will address flooding and drainage problems within the boundaries of the Memorial City Redevelopment Authority. Additionally, this segment of Memorial Drive has seen 185 collisions from 2009 to 2013 (available via H-GAC requested CRIS download). There are also several METRO stops that are located perilously close to the roadway, even along curves. This portion of Memorial Drive is anticipated to offer 15-30 minute routes upon completion of the re-imagining process. The project will also install an access management solution that has been previously identified between BW 8 and West Bough at the entrance to Town and Country Village. The recommended improvement is the installation of two new left turn bays. This is anticipated to improve traffic flow at this location. There is also a large amount of accidents that occur at W. Bough and Memorial Drive. It is anticipated that the planned access management improvements to the will help to mitigate collisions. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max When completed, the project will consist of a property line to property line reconstruction along Memorial Drive from Beltway 8 to Tallowood. improve vehicular mobility through the implementation of access management solutions, will greatly improve the safety of pedestrians through the construction of curb, gutter, and sidewalks, and will also help to improve the address the limited capacity of the stormwater infrastructure as part of the roadway project. The project will feature safety enhancements such as bollards, curbs, and well-defined cross-walks in order to prevent injuries and fatalities by autos. Specific improvements will be identified as part of the final design process. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max This project involves the property line to property line reconstruction of Memorial Drive – a functionally classified minor arterial road – from Beltway 8 to Tallowood. This project is included within the Redevelopment Authority's FY2015 City of Houston approved CIP and will include drainage improvements, roadway and back-of-curb rehabilitation. In addition to these improvements, access management solutions will be implemented to improve traffic flow and reduce the incidence of collisions. The project has been designed to a schematic level and is currently moving through the preliminary engineering process (as of 9/2014). 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 the infrastructure and continued degradation along the corridor. The continued degradation will result in an environment where pedestrian safety remains compromised and transit users will have little to no barrier in place from vehicular traffic. This will result in decreased transit ridership and decreased pedestrian activity. The continued infrastructure degradation will result in a decrease of property values along the corridor and the eventual decrease in sales tax revenue. The no-build alternative will result in a blighted corridor.

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)(11) 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. 01/05/2015 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? No Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). The Memorial City Redevelopment Authority will complete a definitive utility analysis as part of the final design process. Memorial City evaluates conflicts and will perform adjustments through the pre-existing franchise agreement between the City of Houston (through the TIRZ) and CenterPoint. 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 has provided a letter of support regarding the proposed project. The project is also included as part of the TIRZ#17 City Council approved Capital Improvement Program. 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, along with most projects conducted by the Memorial City Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ #17 is featured in monthly public meetings. These meetings serve to provide updates and provide a forum for open discussion on Redevelopment Authority/TIRZ activities. This project has been discussed directly at the following meetings: - The Preliminary Engineering Report was authorized by board action in September 2014 (http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/1114/1158/9419/TIRZ_17_Agenda_09-30-14.pdf) - The project was discussed as part of a broader drainage study on June 29, 2011, and September 2010 (http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/5613/9964/9867/TIRZ17-REGIONALDRAINAGESTUDYPRESENTATION_6292011.pdf) (http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/9813/9964/9898/TIRZ201720Regional20Drainage20Study20Presentation2009-28-2010.pdf) Finally, the mobility study available via the link below was completed in 2009. The access management modifications recommended would be implemented as part of this TIP project. http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/2113/9965/2951/Memorial20LTL20Report.pdf Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. This project is anticipated to be a (c) list categorical exclusion as the improvements will take place entirely within the existing operational right-of-way. The project is within a City of Houston approved CIP and has the support of the Planning and Public Works Departments. The Redevelopment Authority has authorized the engineering firm LAN to begin the preliminary engineering report (30% PE) process in September 2014. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

Memorial_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)

Memorial Drive Roadway.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.

Memorial Drive - 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.

Memorial_Dr_BW8toTallowood(1.8.15FINAL).xlsx

Memorial Drive Analysis Narrative.pdf

Regional Impact

No No - Memorial Drive is not a NHS/Principal Arterial or a designated evacuation route. No No - Memorial Drive is not a heavy cargo route. Yes Memorial Drive is utilized by METRO fixed route bus service and will continue to be used by bus service post-reimagining. One of the scope items of this project is to create a buffer (curb and/or planting strip) between sidewalks (especially at METRO transit stops) and the roadway.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes The project will incorporate left turn bays, which may take the form of a raised median at the entrance/exit into Town and Country Village. Other best practices will be incorporated as effective and necessary as part of the final design process. Yes The sidewalks constructed as part of this project will be completed to City of Houston standards, which meet or exceed AASHTO standards. No There is no significant ITS component of this project.

Community

Yes The project is recommended as part of the TIRZ 17 Regional Drainage Study. The project is also identified in the West Houston Mobility Study. It was also recommended in a mobility study completed for Memorial Drive. http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/2113/9965/2951/Memorial20LTL20Report.pdf http://www.houstontirz17.org/files/6813/9964/8416/Report20Text.pdf

Yes This section of Memorial Drive is identified as part of the City of Houston Master Thoroughfare Plan. It is identified as a corridor that contains sufficient right-of-way. The improvements prescribed within this application are essential in maintaining Memorial Drive as a safe corridor that exists in a state of good repair and accommodates a high level of service as it relates to traffic flow.