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Project Information

US 90 Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 5:18:00 PM

Project Narrative

There are several problems on US 90 that will be addressed with the proposed project. The overall limits are from FM 563 to FM 160. First the segment on US 90 from FM 563 to SH 146 lacks uniformity throughout the section and reduces the capacity of the roadway. Both problems are caused by the bottleneck between East St and SH 146. The existing segment on US 90 west of FM 563 has 6 travel lanes (3 westbound and 3 east bound) and a continuous left turn lane. As traffic moves east of FM 563 there is a reduction in travel lanes, 3 eastbound with a left turn lane to every city street south of US 90 and 2 westbound with a right turn lane throughout. These lanes are separated by a concrete median up to East St. The westbound lanes reduce to 2 travel lanes, left turns to the city streets, and a shoulder at Oakdale St while the eastbound lanes reduce to one travel lane and a right turn lane at Lawrence St. US 90 becomes two travel lanes (1 in each direction) with two shoulder lanes east of East St. The need for the remaining limits of the proposed project will be explained next. The second problem on US 90 between SH 146 and FM 160 is the need for added capacity and the ability to make safe turns. Aside from the turn lanes onto SH 146 the US 90 keeps two travel lanes (1 in each direction) and the shoulders until it becomes a super two one travel lane westbound, two travel lanes eastbound, and two shoulders approximately 0.8 miles east of SH 146 up to 1.0 miles east of SH 146. It then tapers down to two travel lanes (1 in each direction) and shoulders on both sides of the roadway until it reaches the intersection at FM 160 where it has a free flow right from FM 160, one westbound travel lane, one left turn lane going to FM 160, one eastbound travel lane, and a right turn lane. Throughout the entire stretch between SH 146 and FM 160 not including the intersections vehicles stop in the middle of the travel lanes to make left turns into the existing streets and driveways. During peak hours vehicle spacing reduces because of only having one travel lane and vehicles backup at the intersections which causes access to US 90 from near streets and driveways dangerous and time consuming. Lastly hurricane and emergency evacuation options area a concern. The proposed project will accomplish improved mobility, safety, and a roadway configuration that can be used for future growth in the area. The overall limits of the proposed project on US 90 are from FM 563 to FM 160. The proposed improvement consists of removing the concrete median and widening to four travel lanes and a continuous left turn lane from FM 563 to FM 160. The overall proposed project length is 2.39 miles. The first alternative considered was to widen US 90 between East St and SH 146 to have 4 travel lanes (2 westbound and 2 eastbound) and extend the structure that is in that vicinity. After widening that portion, the widening east of SH 146 would follow which would carry the 4 travel lanes with the continuous left turn lane from SH 146 to FM 160 so as to address the project need of this document. This was ultimately not the best option because vehicles coming from city streets and driveways in the segment between FM 563 and East St are unable to turn westbound on FM 563. The other alternative was the No Build alternative but future traffic predictions and the crash data available suggest the impending need for improvements in the project limits. The proposed project is the desired improvement to the area based on the economic, safety, and mobility benefits. This project will not be staged as the improvements are needed concurrent with each other as to reduce the issues presented.

Project Narrative

No

Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes This project falls under the category of Major Investment and will need USACE, Railroad, and various utility company reviews and permits. It is expected to go through the full process and may take up to two years. 05/01/2016 Yes 20 01/01/2019 No 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. Furthermore, non-compensible utility entities shall be responsible to move/relocate their facilities at their own expense. No

There is no known public previous or upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project at this time.

300804112201531914PM.pdf

Please see attached

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Map/Location

300804112201532004PM.pdf

Project Budget

300804112201532035PM.pdf

No

No

Evalutation Questions - Major Investments

Benefit/Cost Methodology

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

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Narrative Benefits

The improvements of the proposed project will reduce the potential of rear end crashes as well as crashes from vehicles switching lanes. Currently any vehicles needing to turn to city streets or driveways on US 90 westbound between SH 146 and FM 160 stop in the travel lane until opposing traffic allows them to make the turn. With the added continuous left turn lane vehicles will be able to make the desired turn in a safer manner reducing the potential for rear end crashes. Another safety benefit is that crashes of vehicles switching lanes will be reduced by limiting the amount of times vehicles merge in the traveling lanes to one time and that would be only at the intersection of FM 563. Uniformity of the section will also improve safety because the driver will not be confronted with many different roadway scenarios. It should also be noted that with the improved mobility vehicles from city streets and driveways will find better spacing between traffic to access US 90 westbound resulting in a safer roadway. Perhaps the most important safety benefit is on the long stretches of SH 146 and FM 160 where vehicles pass slower moving traffic by going onto the opposing traffic lane outside the designated passing section (super two). The safety benefit of adding two travel lanes in each direction is that traffic can pass slower moving traffic without exposing themselves to head on collisions.

The reduction in congestion by the improved mobility is a point of interest in the proposed project since a portion of the proposed project is part of the hurricane and emergency evacuation route shown in the TxDOT May 28, 2014 map. Many commuters and truck traffic use US 90 to FM 563 to get to the large industrial/commercial areas that are found in the Mont Belvieu and Baytown region. Many commuters also use US 90 to get to the Beaumont area. These areas of interest cause an abundance of vehicle and truck traffic and congestion because the existing segment is unable to handle the traffic volumes in an adequate manner. The proposed improvements to US 90 will alleviate the congestion and promote even further the use of the area. Traffic Volumes: Truck Percentages: Growth Trends: Travel Patterns:

Long term aspects come from this project. The life cycle will be improved derived from the physical preservation, congestion relief, safety and economic productivity to name a few.

The Trucking industry continues to experience growth as the need for moving more goods in relation to the increase in current economic trends, i.e., Oil and Gas production in the region as well as the Tree logging industry. The steady growth of residential and commercial developments plays a key role in the local area.

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.

300804112201532227PM.pdf

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