2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 830 Widening Project Primary Agency Conroe Date Submitted 1/12/2015 4:43:47 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max FM 830 (between Old Montgomery Road and SH 75) is currently a 2-lane rural major collector that connects over 1,500 households around Lake Conroe with IH-45. The road is the only east/west connection between a significant residential area and IH-45. Additionally, there is a planned 1,300 acre mixed-use development planned to occur directly adjacent of FM 830 by the Howard Hughes Corporation. This will further strain the existing connection. Existing H-GAC TDM data reflect present peak hour volume to capacity rates of .7-.8. Traffic reports from users state that the road is very congested during peak periods. Furthermore, the 2025 projections predict volume to capacity rates ranging from 1.11 - 1.25. This likely does not include the planned Hughes Corp. development. As congestion along this corridor grows, it will become necessary to widen it to meet demand. This project has come about through a collaborative partnership with the City of Conroe, TxDOT, and the Howard Hughes Corporation. The City of Conroe agreed to provide the application for this project and the local match committment. Howard Hughes has committed to providing funding for the preliminary engineering and environmental work necessary to get the project shovel-ready. The road will remain a TxDOT facility during and after construction. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The project will significantly reduce delay through the widening of the existing two-lane roadway. The proejct will add two additional through lanes (one each way). This will double capacity and prevent the projected 2025 level-of-service from becoming an "F." Additionally, FHWA research* suggests that a conversion from a 2-lane rural to a 4-lane road results in a crash per mile reduction of approximately 30%. This segment of road had 72 total collisions from 2010 to 2013. *www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/safety/humanfac/pdfs/99206.pdf Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max Facility: Farm to Market Road 830 (rural major collector) LImits: State Highway 75 to Old Conroe Road Description: The City of Conroe, in collaboration with TxDOT, propose widening the existing two-lane road (FM 830) to four lanes in order to reduce delay and improve safety. The project limits are from Old Montgomery Road to SH 75. Most sections would remain a rural cross-section with asphalt shoulders. There are a few segments which would require curb/gutter. An flush median for turning movements will be evaluated where appropriate. There is a good deal of right-of-way to work within the vicinity of the corridor. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max Two alternatives have been considered and evaluated. Alternative A: No Build The no build scenario will keep FM 830 from Old Montgomery Road to SH 75 as 2 lane undivided roadway. Under this scenario, the roadway will not be expanded. This scenario will not help congestion, safety, or economic development. Alternative B: Expand FM 830 to four lanes from Old Montgomery Road to SH 75 Alternative B would extend FM 830 from Old Montgomery Road to SH 75 as a 4-lane divided roadway. Alternative B meets the project objectives. It would increase traffic capacity by 50%, reduce traffic congestion and reduce collisions.

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 Meetings_FM830.pdf

What level of environmental documentation is required for the proposed project? Categorical Exclusion (CE) Which CE does the proposed project scope qualify for? (c)(22) Projects that would take place entirely within the existing operational ROW 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. 05/06/2015 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? Yes Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). There are no utility lines close enough to the projected alignment to necessitate any utility adjustments or relocation. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency? Yes Please describe the affect and supply evidence of support from the affected agency. TxDOT letter of support attached. Evidence of Agency Support Attachment

FM 830 letter of support.pdf

Please describe previous and upcoming public involvement activities related to the proposed project. There have been no public involvement meetings to date regarding this project. As Conroe moves through the design process, the City will host one or more public meetings to discuss the project. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. Due to an administrative oversight the City of Conroe was unable to get a formal resolution to include a maintenance and funding commitment for this project. However, the City Administrator has provided a letter stating that the City of Conroe will be responsible for all local share and the development of any long term maintenance changes with TxDOT. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

FM830ReadinessAttachment.pdf

Map/Location

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

FM 830.mpk

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.

FM830- Project Budget.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.

Analysis Placeholder.pdf

Analysis Placeholder.pdf

Regional Impact

No FM 830 is not a principal arterial or a designated evacuation route. No FM 830 is not a designated heavy cargo route. Yes The Friendship Center, through an interlocal agreement with the Woodlands Township and the City of Conroe provides door-to-door limited eligibility demand response service throughout Montgomery County, which includes FM 830.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes The project will be designed in order to accommodate planned access management to adjacent land uses. While raised medians will not be utilized, a flush median with turn bays may be used at locations that will be determined through the design process. Yes An adequate shoulder will be included as part of the final design to accommodate pedestrian and bicyclist use. No This project does not include an ITS component.

Community

Yes FM 830 is identified in the City of Conroe thoroughfare plan is a principle arterial road. Currently it is classified by TxDOT as a rural major collector. Upgrading this roadway to four rather than two lanes will assist in meeting the "arterial" designation set by Conroe as the road will provide the highest level of service at the greatest speed for the longest uninterrupted distance. http://www.cityofconroe.org/home/showdocument?id=3300

Yes FM 830 is identified in the City of Conroe thoroughfare plan is a principle arterial road. Currently it is classified by TxDOT as a rural major collector. Upgrading this roadway to four rather than two lanes will assist in meeting the "arterial" designation set by Conroe as the road will provide the highest level of service at the greatest speed for the longest uninterrupted distance.