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Project Information
FM 3083 Widening TxDOT 1/12/2015 3:24:56 PMProject Narrative
The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following congestion, safety, operations/state of good repair, and economic problems with the current and anticipated conditions of the area, including: • Population and economic growth; • Safety concerns • Roadway surface conditions/deterioration; and The existing roadway consists of two 12-foot travel lanes with 8-foot shoulders within a variable 110 to 140-foot right-of-way. The current speed limit is 50 mph. FM 3083 serves a growing commercial and residential area located just north of the City of Conroe, in central Montgomery County. Within the project area, FM 3083 currently carries 12,900 vehicles per day (vpd) and is projected to carry 13,686 vpd) in 2016. The projected average daily traffic is expected to increase to 24,718 vpd by the year 2038. The addition of one mainlane in each direction and the raised median with dedicated turn bays are intended to address the conditions that contribute to crashes by separating the two directions of traffic and allowing for protected turning movements. The pavement condition for the majority of this section of FM 3083 is fair trending toward poor. The purpose of the proposed improvements to FM 3083 is to increase the safety and efficiency of the facility. In light of the projected increase in traffic and commercial and residential development, the design of the roadway would accommodate more traffic while ensuring the safety of the traveling public. Adding roadway capacity would allow for more efficient movement of traffic traveling through the area and adding a raised median would reduce the potential for accidents on the roadway. According to TxDOT’s 2009 Access Management Manual, numerous studies from across the nation have been conducted relating to undivided, two-way left-turn lane, and divided roadways with a nontraversable (raised) median. Based on these studies, TxDOT concluded that roadways with a nontraversable median have an average crash rate about 30 percent less than undivided or two-way left-turn lane roadways. TxDOT is proposing to widen and reconstruct the existing FM 3083 to a four-lane divided facility, with raised medians and appropriate left-turn queue lanes. The proposed project would consist of two 12-foot travel lanes in each direction with a 10-foot outside shoulder and a 16-foot-wide raised median with left-turn lanes at directional openings and full openings at major intersections. All work would be completed within existing right-of-way. The proposed project does not include the construction of sidewalks or dedicated bicycle lanes. There are no sidewalks on the existing roadway sections located east and west of the project limits and bicycle and/or pedestrian paths along the FM 3083 roadway corridor are not identified in the City of Conroe Comprehensive Plan or Parks Master Plan. However, the proposed 10-foot-wide shoulders would provide adequate space for bicyclists. The only alternative to the proposed design considered was the “no-build”. The no-build alternative would leave the existing roadway intact and would not add additional travel lanes. This alternative was deemed unacceptable because it does not meet the stated need and purpose of improving mobility and safety within the project limits. The project already has been phased. CSJs 3158-01-031 FM 3083 @ UPRR construct grade separation let in FY 2014 and 3158-01-035 FM 3083 from IH 45 to east of SH 75 let in FY 2013. This segment proposed in this application is the remaining segment.Project Narrative
Yes Categorical Exclusion (CE) (c)(10) Acquisition of scenic easements Yes NWP 14 has already been acquired. 04/01/2009 No Yes Both overheard utilities and a natural gas pipeline were identified within the study area during field investigations. Additional utilities may be located within existing right-of-way and relocation and/or adjustments may be necessary. Any utility adjustments would be implemented in a manner that would not result in a substantial disruption of service. Relocations are typically performed by the utility provider, with TxDOT reimbursement. No A public meeting was held at the Lone Star Convention Center on April 7, 2009. Letters were sent to adjacent property owners and elected officials notifying them of the public meeting. Public notices were also published in the Houston Chronicle, Conroe Courier, and El Sol de Conroe. Project information handouts were available in both English and Spanish. NAOPH - June 2, 2013. The proposed project would not require any additional right-of-way or easements. The Categorical Exclusion (Version 10) is 100% complete. There is no known controversy on this project.Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used