2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 1960 Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 5:10:16 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1500 characters max The existing segment of FM 1960 being considered goes from two 12 ft. travel lanes (one in each direction), a 14 ft. continuous left turn lane and two 3 ft. shoulders to two 12 ft. travel lanes (one each direction), one 10 ft. shoulder (westbound side), one 4 ft. shoulder (eastbound side), and two 12 ft. turn lanes (right and left turn lane) going eastbound on FM 1960 at the intersection of SH 321. The existing problem being addressed is the congestion that occurs on SH 321, US 90, SH 146, and FM 1960. Vehicles heading westbound generate flow restrictions by attempting to turn into the shopping center on FM 1960 where other vehicles are forced to stop since there is currently only one travel lane going westbound. The congestion then propagates onto US 90 and SH 146 because FM 1960 has high volumes of traffic. In addition the intersection with SH 321 is not obstructed by rail traffic which makes vehicle users prefer the route. Adding to the congestion problem, the northbound side of SH 321 has vehicles coming from Dayton High School, Dayton Independent School District, ER Richter Elementary, and other localities which are hindered by the intersection congestion produced at the intersection in question. Higher amounts of ADT are foreseeable in the future which promotes the need for improvement of the existing segment. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1500 characters max The outcomes that will be achieved are the mobility and congestion improvements which will lead to safety improvements on all the roadways affected by the current existing configuration. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1500 characters max The proposed improvement on FM 1960 consist of widening the roadway while piping the ditch to carry two westbound travel lanes, and adding dual left turn lanes and a free flow right turn at the intersection toward north and southbound SH 321 respectively. It is also proposed to extend the existing continuous left turn lane past the western entrance of the shopping center. The overall proposed project length is 0.17 miles from approximately Ross St. to SH 321. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
3000 characters max The first alternative considered was to only extend the existing continuous left turn lane past the western entrance of the shopping center and to make the western driveway the only entrance while the eastern driveway would be the only way out of the shopping center. This alternative was considered extremely short term because it did not add capacity and travel would still be hindered by vehicles turning into the gas station located north of the shopping center. The second alternative was to widen the underpass at SH 321 under the railroad in order to improve the FM 1960 eastbound traffic. This alternative was viewed to improve the am traffic while the congestion of the pm traffic would still remain and vehicles going to SH 321 northbound would see minimal improvements. As a result of the alternative not providing all the desired results it is not the most desired alternative. The third alternative was to leave the intersection as it currently exists but the increased future traffic predictions suggest that improvements to the intersection would be inevitable since SH 146 has much growth in Chambers County. The proposed project being submitted was the preferred project because not only does it add capacity it also relieves the congestion and promotes mobility in the other roadways. Please describe any opportunities for staged construction of the project.
1500 characters max This project is a standalone proposal and its importance should not be overlooked because it will not require staged construction. Staged Construction Attachment

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)(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. 01/01/2017 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.). Beaumont’s utility coordinator does an investigation whether any utilities will be affected and if so he will coordinate with the utility companies in the relocation or remove options for those utilities. Any documentation will be addressed as the need arises. 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. The city of Dayton has seen the problems on FM 1960 near and at the intersection and has asked for improvements. The proposed project addresses the cities requests for improvement of the roadway. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Please see attached. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

300792112201550921PM.pdf

Map/Location

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

300792112201513803PM.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.

300792112201513445PM.pdf

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

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

BCA Excel spreadsheet

300792112201551002PM.pdf

Analysis Narrativet

Narrative Benefits

Safety: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The improvements of the proposed project will reduce the potential of rear end crashes as well as crashes from vehicles switching lanes. The rear end traffic collisions will be reduced by the proposed extension of the existing continuous left turn lane in which traffic heading westbound on FM 1960 can safely turn into the existing shopping center and the vehicles behind the turning vehicles won’t have to stop abruptly. Currently the vehicles turning into the shopping center go through the entrances at a fast speed in order to avoid the eastbound traffic which poses a threat to pedestrians in the area. The purpose of the dual left turns and the improved right turn lane is to alleviate the FM 1960 eastbound congestion and allow for vehicles to access the shopping center at reasonable speeds. The reduction of crashes from vehicles switching lanes can be deducted by considering that drivers switch lanes depending on which lane is advancing faster therefore when the mobility improves due to the proposed project and when the congestion clears the drivers won’t feel the need to make unnecessary lane changes. Safety Narrative Attachmentt

300792112201513553PM.pdf

Congestion: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Large industrial/commercial areas are found in the Mont Belvieu and Baytown region which drive many commuters and truck traffic. The commuters largely come from the north Houston areas for example Atascocita and they are also able to go to other nearby towns such as Liberty or even Beaumont. The use of FM 1960 up to the intersection of SH 321 to access SH 146 and US 90 is highly preferred because of the underpass which eliminates the wait time of the rail traffic. These areas of interest cause an abundance of vehicle and truck traffic and congestion because the existing segment of is unable to handle the traffic volumes in an adequate manner. The proposed improvements to FM 1960 will alleviate the congestion and promote even further the use of the area. Traffic Volumes: Truck Percentages: Growth Trends: Travel Patterns: Congestion Narrative Attachmentt

300792112201513707PM.pdf

Asset Management/Operations: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Piping the ditch reduces the maintenance cost for cutting the grass on the existing ditch. The amount of time vehicles are stationary over the payment will be reduced. Asset Mgmt/Ops Narrative Attachmentt

Regional Economic Competitiveness: Please provide additional description of project benefits. Substantial investments have been made to existing and new refinery and gas facilities at and around the Mont Belvieu and Baytown regions. FM 1960 is critical to providing traffic from the north Houston area to the locations in Chambers County. Econ Competitiveness Narrative Attachmentt

Natural/Cultural Resources: Please provide additional description of project benefits. The Department's Modus Operandi related to the natural and cultural resources is: avoid, minimize, mitigate. The proposed project is not anticipated to have significant soils affected, substantial interruption of utility services, or other major impacts of cultural and natural resources. The No Build option will negatively impact the community as traffic is predicted to increase resulting in a magnified problem of the existing congestion, mobility, and safety issues. The proposed project will promote the use of parks, recreational areas, and refuges, etc. by providing faster travel to these areas. Environment Narrative Attachmentt

300792112201513525PM.pdf