2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Townsen Park-n-Ride Multimodal Connector Primary Agency Harris County - Precinct 4 Date Submitted 1/8/2015 8:51:18 AM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The US 59 to I-45 corridor is undergoing a tremendous surge in development due to the influx of employees associated with new development by energy companies such as Exxon-Mobil and Southwest. Construction of these huge company complexes is nearing completion. They are located right next to the Spring Creek Greenway Trail system and will be linked in the near future by the proposed Townsen Park-n-Ride Multi-Model Connection to the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Texas (METRO) bus terminal at Townsen Park-N-Ride. It is important to establish linkage to an alternative transportation mode such as Park-n Ride bus terminals and existing anchor parks along existing greenway trail systems. Traffic Congestion occurs within the project area and with future growth, the congestion will increase, providing a need for other forms of transportation and connectivity within the area. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The proposed Townsen Park-n-Ride Multi-Modal Connector will provide a critical link to public transportation, Ride-Share parking, the regional Spring Creek Greenway Trail project, the regional Cypress Creek Greenway Trail project, and over 100-miles of hike and bike trails located throughout the master planned community of Kingwood. Furthermore, residents living along the greenway in subdivisions from US 59 to I-45 will immediately benefit from the prospect of alternative transportation to the bus terminals at the Park-n-Ride as well as existing anchor parks along the developed greenway. The Townsen Park-n-Ride Multi-Modal Connector takes the existing trails to another level, creating a regional transportation hub and an alternative mode of transportation to METRO buses and downtown destinations for thousands of residents. Approximately 22,000 residents live within 5 miles of the Townsen facility as measured along the greenway trails. About 15,000 of these residents are 60-years of age or younger and would have the opportunity to utilize an alternate mode of transportation. Also, health conscience residents of the region would have access to enjoy the Spring Creek Greenway experience and visit the Historic 1931 Bevil Jarrel Memorial Bridge using the METRO transportation network. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The project is a proposed multimodal connector hike/bike trail that connects the Townsen Park-n-Ride with the regional Spring Creek Greenway trail system in northeast Harris County, Texas. The limits of the project are from the Townsen Park-n-Ride to the historic US 59 Bevil Jarrel Memorial Bridge. The project is approximately 0.7 miles in length and will affect 0.77 acres of land. The project area is located adjacent to the US 59 southbound frontage road, approximately 0.4 miles south of the San Jacinto River and 0.2 miles north of Townsen Boulevard. The 12' wide concrete trail will be routed mostly within TxDOT right-of-way (ROW) and includes a clear-span pedestrian bridge over a drainage ditch and under an existing frontage road bridge, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to safely travel to their destination. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max A no-build alternative was analyzed but was shown to not alleviate the mobility issues that will occur in the area. It was deemed that a no-build alternative would cause an environmental impact to the area. An alternate route was also analyzed; however utilities and ROW obstacles showed the alternative to not be cost effective.

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. 06/02/2014 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? 1 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 07/01/2015 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). Harris County Public Infrastructure Department (HCPID), through its engineering consultant, will be responsible for the utility coordination throughout the project with the assistance of TxDOT. HCPID will also be financially responsible for the cost of utility relocation. Minimal utilities are anticipated to be impacted in the project area. Preliminary on-the-ground surveys have been conducted for the 30% plans. 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 project will improve the traffic flow and use of the Townsen Park-n-Ride for METRO. METRO is involved with and actively supports the project. METRO has plans to improve the Townsen Park-n-Ride due to the multimodal connector that is being proposed. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

Support Letters.pdf

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. Local landowners were identified and informed of the project intention. The process involving the acquisition of ROW from a property owner has already commenced. The property owner stated that he is supportive of the project and will comply with the need to acquire some of his property. Meetings with the City of Humble and METRO have also occurred and all involved with the project are supportive and receptive. Public Involvement Attachment

Public Outreach.pdf

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. The 30% design is complete along with several environmental documents to speed up environmental clearance for the project. Cultural Resources, Natural Resources, and Environmental Constraints have already been completed for the project. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

Attachment 1_6_15_smallest_opt.pdf

Map/Location

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

TIP Application attachment.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.

Project Budget010715.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.

Screening Questions

Will the project design meet or exceed AASHTO or equivalent guidelines?
FHWA Bicycle and Pedestrian Facility Design Flexibility Yes Please explain: AASHTO design guidelines for pedestrian and/or bicycle facillites were used for the design.

Design Standards

Yes AASHTO design guidelines for pedestrian and/or bicycle facillites were used for the design.

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

Yes The multimodal connector crosses under US 59 and over Black's Branch and the San Jacinto River to connect the Townsen Park-n-Ride with the regional Spring Creek Greenway trail system and Kingwood. This alignment avoids high volume traffic routes and spans the Black's Branch waterway, providing a safe and convenient route for pedestrians and bicyclists to cross under US 59 to gain access to the trail system.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

No The proposed multimodal connector will connect the METRO Townsen Park-n-Ride planned biking facilities with the regional Spring Creek Greenway trail system and other surrounding pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Transit Connections

Direct link to transit connection The proposed project directly connects to the Townsen Park-n-Ride facility operated by METRO.

Connections to Regional Destinations

None of the Above

* 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 project connects to regional points of interest such as the Historic 1931 Bevil Jarrel Memorial Bridge, Townsen Park-n-Ride, the regional Spring Creek Greenway trail system, and access to the Deerbrook Mall and surrounding commercial developments.

Pilot Projects

Yes The proposed multimodal connector is the first in Harris County Precinct 4 to connect a Park-n-Ride with an existing trail system.

Safety

Does proposed facility:

Yes No Yes Yes Because of this project, METRO will provide Bicycle facilities at the Townsen park-n-ride facility that will comply with ADA, thus correcting non-existing bicycle facilities.

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

No The project is outside of these aforementioned areas.

Funding Leverage

Both Harris County alone plans to provide more than 20% of local match and METRO also will provide funding for their portion of the project.

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 No No No No No H-GAC will conduct the analysis based upon the GIS map that was provided.

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