2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Loop 494 Shared Use Path Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 7:06:10 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max Loop 494 (LP 494) is a north/south urban minor arterial. It does not have a designated bicycle facility. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • The cyclists ride alongside vehicular traffic, with an average daily traffic count of 10,100 vehicles and a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour. • There are gaps in the bicycle network, the shared use path in the widening project of LP 494 goes from Kingwood Dr to Sorters McClellan Rd does not reach Hamblen Rd to connect to the City of Houston’s proposed Kingwood Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection project on Hamblen Rd. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the proposed project is to provide an 8-foot shared use path, create a safe and hospitable bicycle route, and close a gap in the bicycle network by connecting the shared use path in the LP 494 widening project to the COH proposed shared use path on Hamblen Rd. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed shared use path is located on Loop 494 from Sorters McClellan Rd to Hamblen Rd. The project scope is to construct an 8-feet wide shared use path to provide a safe designated route for cyclists and pedestrians that is separated from vehicular traffic as well as associated intersection improvements. This project does not require additional acquisition of right-of-way. LP 494 will connect: - the proposed shared use path on Hamblen Rd (part of the Kingwood Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection project) to the shared use path in the LP 494 widening project Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max Initially the proposed project limits were from Kingwood Dr to the Bevill Jarrell Bridge. After coordinating with TxDOT and the COH, the projects limits were reduced to Loop 494 Sorters McClellan Rd to Hamblen Rd. 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. 01/10/2015 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 there would be no relocations. 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. None Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Attached is detail construction budget. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

Map/Location

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

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 width of a shared use path, in constrained situations, can be 8 feet if there is no constant heavy bicycle traffic, pedestrian traffic is expected to be occasional, maintenance vehicles will not use the share use path regularly, and there are resting and passing opportunities. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition pg. 5-3).

Design Standards

Yes Per AASHTO, the width of a shared use path, in constrained situations, can be 8 feet if there is no constant heavy bicycle traffic, pedestrian traffic is expected to be occasional, maintenance vehicles will not use the share use path regularly, and there are resting and passing opportunities. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition pg. 5-3).

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

Yes The proposed north/south facility in coordination with the 8 ft sidewalk on the Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project and the City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road, align with the Regional Bikeway Concept Map. The proposed facility will close a gap in the bicycle network; if the proposed segment is not funded, there will be a gap between the 8ft sidewalk to be included in the Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project and the City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

Yes The proposed facility will connect to two pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road will be built in the next 4 years. The 8ft sidewalk will be included in the upcoming Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project. The proposed facility as well as the other two projects will be evaluated in the same TIP 2015-2018 Call for Projects.

Transit Connections

None of the Above N/A

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.

N/A

Pilot Projects

No N/A

Safety

Does proposed facility:

Yes No No No No additional comments

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 N/A

Funding Leverage

Neither N/A

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