2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title Montgomery Bicycle Loop Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 6:04:03 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max Both SH 75 and SH 242 are minor arterial roadways. The roads included in this project do not have a designated bicycle facility. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • Many cyclists currently ride along these roads, without any designated bicycle facility. • Currently there are existing barriers to cycling on the shoulder •There is no inter-city bicycle route connecting the cities of Four Corners, Wigginsville, Grangerland and Conroe •There are gaps in the existing bicycle network Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the project is to provide a Signed Shoulder Bike Route and encourage mode shifts from driving to cycling and carpooling in person non-work trips. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max • SH 75 from FM 3083 to FM 830 (shoulder widening and repair) • SH 242 from FM 3083 to FM 1314 (shoulder widening and repair) • FM 1484 from FM 3083 to FM 2432 (designate as bike route install signs) • FM 2432 from FM 1484 to SH 75 (designate as bike route install signs) • FM 3083 from SH 75 to SH 242 (designate as bike route install signs) • SH 242 from FM 3083 to FM 1314 (designate as bike route install signs) • FM 1314 from SH 242 to SH 105 (designate as bike route install signs) • FM 830 from FM 75 to Lake Conroe (designate as bike route install signs) The Montgomery County Bicycle Loop project includes shoulder widening and repair, signage and intersections improvements to provide a signed shoulder bike route. SH 75, as part of the north bike loop, connects Garden Park Cemetery with the neighboring communities of Willis and Panorama Village. SH 242, part of the south bike loop, connects the cities of Four Corners, Wigginsville, Grangerland and Conroe. SH 75 & SH 242 project is an important gap-filler as it supplements two bike loops north and south of SH 105 (see uploaded pdf for details). The bike loops would create a north-south cycling facility that has been identified in H-GAC’s Regional Bikeway Concept Map. This project does not require additional acquisition of right-of-way. This project connects: -cities: Four Corners, Wigginsville, Grangerland and Conroe 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. 09/03/2015 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 there will be no impacts to existing utilities. 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. TxDOT has informally met with the Bike the Woodlands Coalition, the City of Conroe, and the City of Willis and all have supported this project. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Attached is a detailed construction budget. Both City of Conroe and City of Willis support the project. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

300570112201541746PM.pdf

Map/Location

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

300570112201541642PM.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.

Montgomery Bike Routes - 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.

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 min width of a paved shoulder is 5 feet. A greater shoulder width is recommended when vehicle speed on the road is greater than 50 mph. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4: Design of On-Road Facilities, pg. 4-7). Speed limit on the roads that make up the signed shoulder route Montgomery County Bicycle Loop is 55mph. Narrow shoulder will be widen to 8 feet, which exceeds AASHTO guidelines.

Design Standards

Yes Per AASHTO, the min width of a paved shoulder is 5 feet. A greater shoulder width is recommended when vehicle speed on the road is greater than 50 mph. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition, Chapter 4: Design of On-Road Facilities, pg. 4-7). Speed limit on the roads that make up the signed shoulder route Montgomery County Bicycle Loop is 55mph. Narrow shoulder will be widen to 8 feet, which exceeds AASHTO guidelines.

Connectivity

Barrier Elimination

Yes The proposed facility aligns with the Regional Bikeway Concept Map since it provides a north/south bicycle facility that goes from north of Conroe to SH 242 connecting the cities of Willis and Conroe as identified in the conceptual regional bikeways.

Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections

No This facility does not connect to existing pedestrian and bicycle facilities.

Transit Connections

Demonstrates potential for a future transit connection Currently there are no operating Transit locations in the area. However, the City of Conroe is currently designing a bus route on SH 75 through the City of Conroe and this project will be less than a mile from the transit route.

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.

SH 75, as part of the north bike loop, connects Garden Park Cemetery with the neighboring communities of Willis and Panorama Village. SH 242, part of the south bike loop, connects the cities of Four Corners, Wigginsville, Grangerland and Conroe.

Pilot Projects

No This facility is not a pilot or first-time facility

Safety

Does proposed facility:

No No Yes No In 2011, there was one incapacitating and one non-incapacitating pedalcyclist injuries on roadway by vehicles on SH 75 and SH 105 respectavily (crash number 12091630,12445077).

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 This facility is not identified within an H-GAC Special Districts Study.

Funding Leverage

Neither The facility does not leverage 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

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