2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title SH 6 Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 4:09:42 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max State Highway (SH) 6 is a heavily traveled principle arterial. This section of roadway is on the State’s Top 125 list of most congested corridors (rank: #63), and also is on the Top 125 most congested freight corridors (rank: #102) and is considered a freight bottleneck. The current design functions at an unacceptable Level of Service during peak hours. Demand exceed capacity and traffic in the area – currently at 49,200 ADT – is expected to increase. According to a recent TxDOT traffic study, this intersection currently has a 799.9 second/vehicle delay in the morning peak. Delay is predicted to increase to 1099 seconds/vehicle in 2035 without improvement. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion, provide operational improvements, and improve safety. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max The proposed design would consist of improvements to the SH 6 at FM 529 intersection. The improvements include additional left- and right-turn bays to each approach of SH 6 at FM 529 intersection, a pedestrian refuge, and optimization of the traffic signals. The improved intersection would remain a four-way intersection. In addition, the proposed project would include a 5-foot wide sidewalk along each side of the SH 6 and FM 529 roadways throughout the project, as well as pedestrian refuge. Shared 15-foot lanes would be provided on both side of SH 6 and FM 529 to facilitate bicycle travel. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max 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. The improvements outlined in this application represent the preferred alternative. The no-build alternative would continue to foster congestion and will not provide pedestrian refuge, sidewalks, or bicycle accommodations. The result of no-build would be continued congestion and safety concerns. Alternatively, the preferred alternative will include a six-lane divided roadway with 12-foot lanes, and added 12-foot through lane between Smithstone Drive and Sugar Ride Street. The project also includes dual left turn lanes and a right turn lane at all approaches. A raised median would be constructed to replace the continuous, flush left turn lane.

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. Yes Please attach a completed scoping checklist or meeting summary.

Scoping.docx

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. 06/01/2013 Will additional property, or interest in property (easement), be required to implement the project? Yes How many parcels or portions thereof remain to be acquired? 5 Please provide an estimated date for the completion of property acquisition necessary for construction activities to begin. 01/01/2023 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? No Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). No utility adjustments are anticipated. If utility adjustments should be needed, the adjustments would be made by the provider, with reimbursement if eligible. Over 5 acres of ROW need to be acquired. The number of parcels will be determined when ROW mapping is complete. 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. Public Meeting – 6/18/2013 No residential or commercial displacements are anticipated. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. The environmental document is complete, but not approved. Once the project is included in the 2040 RTP, the CE can be approved. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

01-09-15 - 1685-05-105 - GIS - SH 6 at FM 529.jpg

Map/Location

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

1685-05-105 - GIS - SH 6 at FM 529.jpg

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.

1685-05-105 Budget - SH6.xlsx

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 - Roadway/Mobility (Non-ITS)

Congestion – Travel Time Savings

Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and appropriate narrative of analysis used.

1685-05-105 - BCT-SH 6 and FM 529 intersection.Part1.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Regional Impact

NHS/Principal Arterial SH 6 is on the National Highway System as a principal arterial. This segment of SH 6 ranks #63 on the Top 125 Most Congested list. Yes This segment of SH 6 is ranked #102 on the Top Freight Routes list. It is a designated freight bottleneck. No Not in the vicinity of fixed-route service.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes The improvements include additional left- and right-turn bays to each approach of SH 6 at FM 529 intersection, a pedestrian refuge, and optimization of the traffic signals. The improved intersection would remain a four-way intersection. In addition, the proposed project would include a 5-foot wide sidewalk along each side of the SH 6 and FM 529 roadways throughout the project, as well as pedestrian refuge. Shared 15-foot lanes would be provided on both side of SH 6 and FM 529 to facilitate bicycle travel. Yes The improvements include additional left- and right-turn bays to each approach of SH 6 at FM 529 intersection, a pedestrian refuge, and optimization of the traffic signals. The improved intersection would remain a four-way intersection. In addition, the proposed project would include a 5-foot wide sidewalk along each side of the SH 6 and FM 529 roadways throughout the project, as well as pedestrian refuge. Shared 15-foot lanes would be provided on both side of SH 6 and FM 529 to facilitate bicycle travel. No Optimization of traffic signals will be included but no other ITS components.

Community

Yes City of Houston Thoroughfare Plan http://www.houstontx.gov/planning/mobility/MTFP.html

1685-05-105 - BIKE - SH 6 at FM 529.jpg

Yes This segment of SH 6 ranks #63 on the Top 125 Most Congested list. This segment of SH 6 is ranked #102 on the Top Freight Routes list. It is a designated freight bottleneck.