2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 1960 Shared Use Path Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 7:02:27 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max Farm to Market Road 1960 (FM 1960) is an east/west urban collector. It does not have sidewalks or a designated bicycle facility. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • Many pedestrians currently walk along FM 1960, without sidewalks to protect their safety. • There is an existing human footpath in the grass, from Mills Road headed towards SH 249, in both directions. • There is no pedestrian or bicycle facility to connect to METRO’s bus stops: Transit Routes 96 and 44. Without sidewalks, the bus stops at SH 249 are inaccessible to pedestrians who use transit as their transportation mode. • There is no bicycle route connecting to METRO’s bus stops. • There is no pedestrian or bicycle facility to connect to local shopping and retail centers. 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-feet wide shared use path for pedestrians and cyclists that is separated from vehicular traffic, create a safe and hospitable pedestrian and bicycle route, improve connectivity for alternative modes of transportation (bicycle and bus), 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 shared use path is located on the north side of FM 1960 from Mills Road to SH 249 Southbound Frontage Road. The project scope is to construct an 8-feet wide shared use path to provide a safe and convenient route for pedestrian and cyclists to bus stops at Willow Chase Blvd and FM 1960 along SH 249, as well as associated intersection improvements for the pedestrian and bike facility. This project also connects the residential community with important local shopping and activity centers, which include Fiesta Mart, Costco and Burlington Coat Factory, among others. This project does not require additional acquisition of right-of-way. The FM 1960 Share Use Path connects -retail and activity centers: Fiesta Mart, Costco and Burlington Coat Factory, among others -transit: METRO Transit Routes 96 and 44 stop near the SH 249 and FM 1960 intersection. North/south Bus Route 44 stops at North Line METRO station, while east/west Bus Route 96 stops at Spring METRO station. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max 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. 15/09/2015 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.). Utility adjustments are non-reimbursable for this location so any utilitities in conflict with proposed work in TxDOT right-of-way will have to be relocated by the utility owner, or the utility owner's contractor, at the expense of the utility owner. 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. There is an existing foot path in the grass along FM 1960 at this location. By installing a shared-path sidewalk at this location we are improving the ability Harris County residents to traverse the area by foot safely. Replacing the foot path with a paved sidewalk will also enhance the aesthetics of the area which will have a postive impact on the adjacent Harris County properties. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. no Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Attached detailed construction estimate. 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

No N/A

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

Yes The shared use path will connect to a sidewalk that stops north of the bus stop on IH-10.

Transit Connections

Direct link to transit connection The N FM 1960 Shared Use Path project provides a safe connection for pedestrian and cyclists to bus stations at Willow Chase Blvd and FM 1960 along SH 249. METRO Transit Routes 96 and 44 stop near the SH 249 and FM 1960 intersection. North/south Bus Route 44 stops at North Line METRO station, while east/west Bus Route 96 stops at Spring METRO station. Without sidewalks, the bus stops at SH 249 are inaccessible to pedestrians who use transit as their transportation mode.

Connections to Regional Destinations

Located outside of an activity center, but directly connects to one or more points of interest?

* 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 proposed facility connects the residential community with important shopping and activity centers, which include Fiesta Mart, Costco and Burlington Coat Factory, among others.

Pilot Projects

No N/A

Safety

Does proposed facility:

Yes No Yes No In 2012, there was one non-incapacitating injury on SH 249 and FM 1960 to a pedalcyclist on the frontage roadway by vehicles going straight (crash number 12600725). The proposed facility provides a share use path along SH 249 and FM 960 that is separated from vehicular traffic, to provide safe pedestrian and bicycle accommodations.

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

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 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