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Project Information

SH 242 Widening TxDOT 1/12/2015 2:14:46 PM

Project Narrative

The need for the project is based upon the following congestion, safety, operations/state of good repair, and economic problems, including: population, economic growth and development; safety concerns (1 fatality has occurred between 2011-2014); current truck traffic is at six percent and expected to increase; roadway design deficiencies. Currently, SH 242 between IH 45 and Greenbridge is a 4-lane highway functionally classified as an urban minor arterial. SH 242 is the primary east-west corridor in south Montgomery County linking IH 45 to IH 69/US 59 and one of the only facilities that efficiently crosses the San Jacinto River. This section of SH 242 connect directly to IH 45, a major highway that feeds into the metropolitan Houston area and serves as primary route between Houston and Montgomery County. SH 242 serves the growing commercial and residential areas located east of The Woodlands and south of the City of Conroe. Rapid economic and population growth along SH 242, consisting of a mix of commercial, industrial, medical, residential, including a medical center and Lone Star College-Montgomery and the University Center, has impacted traffic on SH 242. Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas. According to the US Census Bureau’s population estimates, the total population of Montgomery County was estimated to be 499,137 in 2013, an almost 10% increase since the 2010 Census. The total population of Montgomery County grew by 55% between the 2000 (population: 293,768) and 2010 Census (population: 455,746). As a result, congestion and traffic delays have increased within the project area. Current and projected growth in this corridor is anticipated to generate additional traffic volumes beyond the capacity of the existing transportation facility. Additionally, the separate construction of new direct connectors at IH 45 will further increase traffic volumes and increase weaving maneuvers along the existing roadway. The direct connector being constructed IH45 will add a free flow stream of traffic onto SH 242, which will overload the existing signalized intersections in the peak hours. The purpose of the proposed improvements to SH 242 is to increase efficiency and safety of the traveling public. The improvements to SH 242 are in response to existing traffic volumes, projected traffic growth along the corridor, increased commercial and residential development, as well as the use of SH 242 as the primary east-west corridor north of FM 1960 or BW 8. Adding roadway capacity would allow for more efficient movement of traffic traveling through the area and would reduce the potential for accidents on the roadway. The project would increase capacity along the corridor especially at intersections and access points to accommodate expected demands. The project would enhance safety by upgrading the existing roadway to the current design standards and would enhance regional connectivity to IH 45. This proposed project would widen SH 242 from IH 45 to Greenbridge from a four-lane to a six-lane roadway with additional turning bays at intersections. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations would be included in the proposed project. The proposed project is a widening project primarily within the existing right-of-way and utilizing the existing alignment. The existing roadway sits within a wide existing right-of-way. Proposed widening would occur throughout the project limits, but would be done while maintaining traffic operations. There is not an opportunity for staged construction.

3538-01-034 - SH242_Corridor.pdf

Project Narrative

Yes

Scoping.docx

Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select No 08/01/2016 Yes 7 01/01/2018 Yes The adjustment and relocation of any utilities would be handled so that no substantial interruptions would take place while these adjustments are being made. The appropriate entity or utility company would be responsible for the adjustments and relocations, according to standard TxDOT procedures. No

A public meeting was held as a part of the NEPA process on 6/11/2009.

Environmental document status is at 30%.

3538-01-034 - Schematic2.pdf

Map/Location

3538-01-034 - GIS - SH 242.pdf

Project Budget

3538-01-034 - Budget - SH242.xlsx

No

No

Evalutation Questions - Major Investments

Benefit/Cost Methodology

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used

3538-01-034 - BCT - SH 242 from IH 45 to Greenbridge.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Narrative Benefits

The proposed roadway would upgrade design standards and lengthen the turning bays at intersections, a noted access management treatment, which would remove turning traffic from through lanes thereby reducing the potential for rear-end collisions. The additional of lanes will decrease weaving for traffic exiting the direct connectors between 242 and IH 45.

SH 242 is on the Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan as an existing major thoroughfare. SH 242 is an east-west arterial that connects two major interstates (IH 45 and IH 69/US 59) that serve north-south traffic in the Houston region. This proposed project connects directly to IH 45. SH 242 west of IH 45 connects to other arterials in the area, including FM 1488. It serves existing commercial and residential development in the area, and provides important mobility in this portion of the region. SH 242 allows local residents to utilize alternate routes to the nearby interstates, thereby removing local traffic from these facilities. Proposed project would relieve congestion along the corridor by adding one additional lane in each direction and add turning bays at intersections. The direct connector being constructed IH 45 will add a free flow stream of traffic onto SH 242, which will overload the existing signalized intersections in the peak hours.

The addition of two travel lanes will decrease wear and tear on the existing travel lanes. Improvements to ease congestion would allow the roadway to continue to service the region in spite of projected increases in demand.

Montgomery County is one of the fastest growing counties in Texas and the nation. The Woodlands development alone is a 28,000 acre community with a population of more than 107,000 and 5,000 acres set aside for commercial development. Spurred by The Woodlands, the south Montgomery County area has out-paced most of the region in terms of commercial and residential development. The Woodlands is a major work center with 1,900 employers and more than 54,000 employees within its Town Center (mini-business district). It is home to companies such as Anadarko Petroleum, Aon Hewitt, Baker Hughes, Chevron Phillips, Fox Network Groups, and many more. The recent development that Exxon is moving their corporate headquarters to the 385 acre area south of The Woodlands along SH 99 has triggered an influx of additional development which local governments may be unable to keep pace with in terms of supporting infrastructure. Furthermore, Houston’s strong economy has increasingly driven population growth and suburban development the surrounding five-county area, which includes Montgomery County. In order for the region to continue to remain economically competitive, the transportation system must function as a whole throughout the region. SH 242 provides a vital east-west link to IH 45 in The Woodlands/southern Montgomery County, an area of the metropolitan region that is quickly developing. IH 45 serves as a major north-south corridor from the Gulf Coast through east Texas.

• Reducing congestion would improve adverse impacts on air quality in this nonattainment area. Bicycle and pedestrian accommodations will be provided by this project, which will tie into a number of existing shared use paths/trails. Additionally, this project will serve a number of education institutions in the area. This section of SH 242 serves the Research Forest Park and Ride facility.

3538-01-034 - BIKE - SH 242.pdf

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