2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 1960 Intersection Improvements Primary Agency TxDOT Date Submitted 1/12/2015 3:56:58 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following congestion, safety, operational/state of good repair, and economic problems: • On TxDOT Top 100 congested roadways (#52) • On TxDOT Top Congestion Freight Corridors (#163) • Demand exceeds or approaches capacity • Congestion due to competing uses (local vs. through traffic) • Crashes are extremely high • Roadway design deficiencies • Continued and anticipated growth and development This section of FM 1960 is a six -lane facility (three lanes each direction) that includes access management treatments such as a raised median and left turn queue lanes. The land use immediately adjacent to the roadway is largely commercial backed by significant residential. The hub of the area is Willowbrook Mall, a significant traffic generator. Currently this section of FM 1960 is carrying four percent truck traffic. In addition, METRO operates two routes on this section of FM 1960 including route 44 and route 96. Within the approximately one miles project section, there are eight bus stops and an additional 10 stop in the immediate vicinity. FM 1960 is on the National Highway System and is functionally classified as a 3: principle arterial. FM 1960 is the primary east / west thoroughfare traversing north and northwest Houston connecting US 290, SH 249, IH 45, and US 59/IH 69. The facility is experiencing congestion, crashes, reduced pavement quality, and strong economic growth adjacent to the facility. Transportation improvements are needed along FM 1960 due to increasing growth and a strong commercial, residential, and multi-family housing market in the communities adjacent to FM 1960. This increase in population has led to increased traffic volumes and conflicting movements, which impairs safety, inhibits mobility, and further degrades the pavement conditions along the facility. The anticipated increase in traffic growth will create increasing conflict between through traffic and turning movements along the existing FM 1960 facility. The existing FM 1960 intersections are at-grade facilities with stop signs or traffic lights for cross traffic and a center left-turn lane that creates significant potential conflict points for motorists. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility by alleviating traffic congestion, improving safety, and accommodating future traffic associated with the anticipated growth in/around the Willowbrook Mall and collateral commercial and professional development. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed project would reconstruct the roadway to add turning lanes at major intersections and access points into the commercial areas. Dual lefts would be provided at Cutten Road and the Willowbrook Mall entrances and all turning bays would be lengthened to provide additional storage capacity. The proposed roadway would provide pedestrian and bicycle accommodations. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max Multiple alternatives considered grade separating over or under the adjacent BNSF RR. After multiple public meetings and coordination with stakeholders, a widened arterial boulevard alternative was selected and the grade separation alternatives were not carried forward.

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. Yes Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

Scoping.docx

What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? (c)(26) Modernization of a highway which meets constraints in paragraph (e) 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. 02/01/2013 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? 5 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 01/01/2018 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? No Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). Any utility adjustments would be handled by the utility provider with TxDOT reimbursement. Approximately 40 feet of additional ROW is needed along the proposed project. 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. Public Meeting – 5/11/2009, 10/25/2011 Numerous Stakeholder meetings conducted through the NW Houston Chamber of Commerce Additional Public Meeting and Hearing are required. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Project has been vetted with public, small amounts of ROW will be required although one prominent parcel will be affected, utilities are not a concern, but project will required coordination with BNSF RR. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

1685-01-090 - Schematic - FM 1960.pdf

Map/Location

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

1685-01-090 - GIS - FM 1960 from SH 249 to Cutten Rd.jpg

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.

1658-01-090 Budget - FM1960_Rev.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.

Benefit /Cost Methodology - Roadway/Mobility (Non-ITS)

Congestion – Travel Time Savings

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and appropriate narrative of analysis used.

1685-01-090 - BCT - FM 1960 from SH 249 to Cutten Rd.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Regional Impact

NHS/Principal Arterial Project is on the National Highway System and is listed # 52 on TxDOT's Top 100 congested corridors. Yes Project is listed as #163 on TxDOT's Top Congestion Freight Corridors. Yes Yes, METRO Operates two routes immediately on the corridor including the: 44 and 96.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes Previously installed raised median and turn bays will be modified as part of the project due to increased congestion and safety concerns. This project coincides with access management improvements along FM 1960 immediately east and west of the project. Yes Yes, 15 foot outside lanes are proposed as well as sidewalks and curb ramps. No However, traffic signals will be upgraded.

Community

Yes Yes, HGAC FM 1960 Access Mgmt. Study, phase I was implemented in 2009. This project will adjust some of those improvements due to increased congestion and growth. Project is ranked #52 on Top 125 Most Congested Roadways and #163 in Top Congested Freight corridors.

1685-01-090 - Schematic - FM 1960.pdf

Yes City of Houston Major Thoroughfare Plan