2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title League City Bicycle Loop Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 6:59:14 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max Farm to Market Road 270 (FM 270) is a north/south urban minor arterial. State Highway 96 (SH 96) is an east/west urban principal arterial. Both roads do not have a designated bicycle facility. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • Many cyclists currently ride along SH 270 and SH 96, without any designated bicycle route to protect their safety. • The cyclists ride alongside vehicular traffic, with an average daily traffic count of 12,800 and 25,000 vehicles on FM 270 and SH 96 respectively, and a posted speed limit ranging from 45 to 55 miles per hour. •There is no intra-city bicycle route connecting League City east of IH-45 with Kemah • There is no bicycle route connection to Clear Falls High School Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the proposed project is to provide a bicycle lane separated from vehicular traffic by a stripped buffer area, create a safe and hospitable bicycle route, improve connectivity for alternative modes of transportation (bicycle), and encourage mode shifts from driving to cycling in both person work and non-work trips. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed bike facility is located on SH 96 from SH 146 to FM 270, on FM 270 from SH 96 to FM 2094. The bike facility is approximately 5.9 and 5.9 miles in length on FM 270 and SH 96 respectively. The League City Bike Loop project includes milling and asphalt overlay of shoulders, shoulder widening, pavement markings, striping (buffer area and bike lane), and signage as well as associated intersection improvements for the bike facility. In addition, sidewalk improvements are included in the project along FM 2094 from FM 518 to SH 146 to create a continuous sidewalk that connects to the bike facilities along FM 270 and SH 96 in a loop. This project does not require additional acquisition of right-of-way. This project connects: -cities: League City, Kemah, City of Webster, City of Alvin -schools: Clear Creek ISD Education Village (Clear Falls High School) -parks: League Park, Helen’s Garden, Pine Gully, Hometown Heroes Park -existing bike trail: FM 518, Walker St trail -residential communities Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max A bike lane without a striped buffer area was considered. Given the posted speed limit (ranging from 45 to 55 miles per hour on FM 270 and SH 96) a 5 feet striped buffer area was included in the project design between the bike lane and vehicular traffic. No other alternatives have been considered or evaluated.

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)(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities 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. 10/03/2015 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.). Privately owned utilities in conflict would be relocated by the respective owners at their expense. State-owned facilities would be relocated by TxDOT as part of the contract. Although a thorough utility evaluation has not yet been conducted, a preliminary evaluation indicates that the only utility conflicts will be with state-owned light poles, which can be relocated by TxDOT as part of the contract. 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. League City’s Trails Master Plan includes public involvement. •September 10, 2009: League City Trails Master Plan - Public Meeting – 1:00 p.m. •September 10, 2009: League City Trails Master Plan - Public Meeting – 6:00 p.m. •September 14, 2009: League City Trails Master Plan - Public Meeting – 6:00 p.m. •September 17, 2009: League City Trails Master Plan - Public Meeting – 6:00 p.m. •December 7, 2009: League City Trails Master Plan - Planning and Zoning/Park Board Meeting-6:00pm •January 26, 2010: League City Trails Master Plan - City Council Meeting •March 8, 2010: League City Trails Master Plan - 4B Board Meeting-6:00pm •October 14, 2014: League City Bike Loop – City Council Approved Public Involvement Attachment

300528112201525925PM.pdf

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Attached are the typical section and detailed construction budget. League City passed a resolution in support of the project and to support the funding match on Oct 14, 2014. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

300528112201530408PM.pdf

Map/Location

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

300528112201532951PM.pdf

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.

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.

Screening Questions

Will the project design meet or exceed AASHTO or equivalent guidelines?
FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Design Flexibility Yes Please explain: Per AASHTO, the minimum width of a bike lane is 5 ft. The project design of a 6 feet-wide bike lane exceeds AASHTO minimum guidelines (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4: Design of On-Road Facilities, pg. 4-15). The project design also calls for a striped buffer area between the vehicular lane and the 6 foot bike lane, which also exceed AASHTO minimum guidelines.

Design Standards

Yes Per AASHTO, the minimum width of a bike lane is 5 ft. The project design of a 6 feet-wide bike lane exceeds AASHTO minimum guidelines (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4: Design of On-Road Facilities, pg. 4-15). The project design also calls for a striped buffer area between the vehicular lane and the 6 foot bike lane, which also exceed AASHTO minimum guidelines.

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

No Facility does not provide safe routes across barriers.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

Yes The League City Loop directly connects to a shared use path on FM 518 and on the south portion on FM 96 it will connect to an 8 feet Trail on Lousianne St. that has already funds allocated. The FM 270 proposed facility will also connect to the FM 518 Bypass Hike and Bike Trail project submitted for the TIP Call for Projects 2015-2018.

Transit Connections

None of the Above None

Connections to Regional Destinations

Provides a connection to or within activity centers*?

* Density thresholds for different types of activity centers are defined within the Livable Centers Benefits Calculator, which is available online at http://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/tools.aspx. Project area is considered within a 1/2-mile radius of the project location.

The League City Loop Facility project is an important loop that connects the cities of Clear Lake Shores and Kemah. This bike loop facility also connects neighborhoods to Helen’s Garden and the Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center via the proposed facility on FM 270. The Dr. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center currently has a mile of hike and bike trails. The League City Loop Facility provides needed connectivity between the neighborhood and existing local bike routes, 195.93 acres of city parks, and the following schools: Clear Falls High School, Clear Creek High School, Clear Creek Intermediate School, League City School and Clear Creek Independent School District

Pilot Projects

No Facility if not a pilot.

Safety

Does proposed facility:

No Yes Yes No The League City Loop Facility provides new bicycle connection between the neighborhood and the following schools: Clear Falls High School, Clear Creek High School, Clear Creek Intermediate School, League City School and Clear Creek Independent School District. There were two pedacyclist accidents on FM270 in 2011, non-incapacitating injuries by vehicles going straight on the roadway (crash number 11837142, ). The proposed facility addresses safety concerns on FM 270 by providing a designated bike lane by pavement markings and signs and a striped buffer area between vehicular traffic and the bike lane.

Project will be awarded:
15 points if three or more of the aforementioned characteristics are met.
10 points if two of these characteristics are met.
5 points if one of these characteristics is met.

Existing Plans/Studies

Yes This project includes bike lanes along SH 96 and FM 2094 (Marina Bay), both of which have been identified in the Clear Lake Pedestrian and Bicyclist Study. In addition, the proposed facility on FM 518, FM 2094, SH 96 and FM 270 also aligns perfectly with League City’s Trails Master Plan.

Funding Leverage

Neither No additional funding

Underserved Population Access

Is all or part of the proposed facility located within a Census Tract that has a higher proportion of the following populations than the regional average:
H-GAC to conduct analysis based on the GIS/map project location provided above

No No Yes No No No No Source H-GAC's Environmental Justice GIS Maps.

Project will be awarded:
3 points if one of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
7 points if two of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
10 points if three of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average