713-627-3200
On This Page
Project Information
FM 646 Widening TxDOT 1/12/2015 6:51:35 PMProject Narrative
FM 646 was originally designed as a 2-lane, minor arterial roadway to serve a rural area dominated by farmland. The existing typical section consists of a two-lane (one lane per direction) with a continuous two-way left turn lane. The facility is a major east-west corridor bringing residents to IH 45 south. Development along FM 646 to the south of IH 45 has been substantial within the past several years. Because of current and predicted future traffic demands, the existing roadway is in need of infrastructure improvements. Existing deficiencies for the roadway include insufficient through traffic lanes, the need for a continuous left turn lane or center median, and additional left and right turn lanes. Development along FM 646 is largely residential. Because of current and predicted future traffic demands, the existing roadway is in need of infrastructure improvements. Existing deficiencies for the roadway include insufficient through traffic lanes. Much of the roadway is in good condition, with portions rated as low as poor. Sections in poor condition will continue to deteriorate rapidly under the anticipated increased load of traffic if improvements are not made. The project would upgrade FM 646 from a two-lane rural roadway to a 4-lane divided roadway in order to accommodate current and future predicted traffic demands. The proposed improvements would increase reliability by bringing the pavement condition as well as the roadway to current design standards. Decreased congestion resulting from the improvements would improve emergency incident response times, as well as improving air quality. The purpose of this project is to: increase safety and operational efficiency (mobility); reduce congestion during evacuation events; provide added capacity for future traffic volumes; add an overpass at the Union Pacific railroad crossing; reconstruct the roadway; and improve the safety characteristics of the highway. Construction of a new overpass at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing will also improve mobility and increase safety along the corridor. This project will widen FM 646 from 2 to 4 lanes, widen the shoulders, and add a raised center median to the roadway. A new overpass will be constructed at the UPRR crossing. Several alternative alignments were investigated for the roadway improvements based on an analysis of the existing traffic conditions, forecasts of future travel demand, and projected population growth. Several conceptual alternatives were considered, including a no build alternative, using a systematic, interdisciplinary approach, which included input from the public, as well as federal, state, and local agencies. Both design and environmental constraints were evaluated in determining the preferred alignment. The improvements outlined in this application represent the preferred alternative. The No-Build Alternative would not improve the roadway. Only routine maintenance would occur within this area, therefore, congestion would continue and safety problems may increase and evacuation would be compromised. This corridor originally stretched from IH 45 South to SH 6. Two previous stages have already been constructed: FM 646 from IH 45 South to FM 517 (let in FY 2009), and FM 646 from FM 517 to FM 1764 (let in FY 2010). This is one of several projects to widen FM 646, as shown the corridor map.Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes Permits are in progress 01/01/2006 Yes 51 04/01/2015 Yes Entity is responsible to present TxDOT the adjustment plans and get it approved before begin any adjustments. Since this is an interstate project, the adjustments are fully reimbursable. No Public meeting – 11-17-2005 Public Meeting – 9-7-2006 Public hearing – July 2010. ROW purchase is nearly complete, with Galveston County paying for ROW; only corner clips are required. PS&E is 90% complete. The project was environmentally cleared in 2008, and only needs a re-evaluation. No permits are required. The project is in the current Regional Transportation plan.3049-01-023 - SCHEMATIC - FM646 from FM 270 to South Shore Harbor.pdf
Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used