2015 Call for Projects Application Listing

Project Information

Project Title FM 525 Widening Primary Agency Texas Department of Transportation Date Submitted 1/12/2015 1:53:09 PM

Project Narrative

Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).
1000 characters max FM 525 is an east-west minor arterial that is approximately one mile south of and parallels Beltway 8 between IH 45 north and US 59 north. Between US 59 and the Lee Road intersection, FM 525 narrows to create a traffic bottleneck. This section of roadway was previously a City of Houston facility (Aldine Bender Road). The Texas Transportation Commission extended the designation of FM 525 from the intersection of FM 525 and Lee Road eastward to Marine Road in Minute order 113962 on May 29, 2014. The typical section of FM 525 east of Lee Road changes from a seven-lane facility (three lanes each direction with a continuous two-way, left turn lane) to a two-lane facility (one lane each direction), before widening to a four-lane (two-lanes each direction with turn lanes) divided section at the US 59 north intersection, creating a significant bottleneck and interrupting the flow of traffic. The bottleneck creates safety and mobility issues in the area. Describe the primary outcome to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose).
1000 characters max The proposed project would eliminate the traffic bottleneck. Mobility and public safety would be improved. Removing this bottle neck would improve operational efficiency and facilitate the flow of traffic. This project will reconstruct this portion of roadway utilizing concrete rather than asphalt. The reconstruction of the roadway from asphalt to concrete will significantly extend the life of the pavement and push back the need for maintenance by 20 to 30 years or more. Typically, new asphalt roadways need maintenance six to seven years after they have been installed. A concrete roadway does not need maintenance until 20 and more likely 30 or more years after implementation depending upon traffic volume / use. Describe the proposed improvement (Facility/Limits/Description).
1000 characters max Reconstruct FM 525 (aka Aldine Bender) from Lee Road to US 59 to a six-lane section with shared-use lanes for bicycles and sidewalks in order to maintain continuity in typical section throughout the corridor. Proposed project is 0.15 miles in length. Describe any alternatives to the proposed improvement which have been considered or will be evaluated.
2000 characters max No-build alternative would not alleviate the intersection congestion.

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. 08/01/2015 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. 01/01/2019 Has a utility evaluation been completed for the project? No Please describe the process for utility adjustments/relocations (entity responsible, financial responsibility, etc.). 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. 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 involvement has not yet been conducted on this project. Project would go through public involvement as part of the environmental process and, if funded, as part of the TIP/STIP process. Public Involvement Attachment

Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. The project is a very short section of roadway in a commercial area, it requires only a CE and simple design. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment

1005-01-040 - Additional Information - Minute Order.pdf

Map/Location

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

1005-01-040 - GIS - FM 525.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.

1005-01-040 - Budget - FM525.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)

Safety – Accident Cost Savings

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

1005-01-040 - BCT - FM 525 from Lee Rd to US 59 N.pdf

Life-Cycle Benefit-Cost Analysis Methodology.docx

Regional Impact

No This project is not on a NHS/Principal Arterial or designated evacuation route. No This project is not on a designated Heavy Cargo Route. Yes This project is on FM 525/Aldine Bender Road, which serves the METRO 83/Lee Road Circulator bus route. This bus route serves the Eastex Park & Ride facility. The METRO Reimagined Network Plan shows future route of 61/Jensen, which will also serve the Eastex Park & Ride. There are numerous bus stops along FM 525 including three within the immediate vicinity of the project that will be helped with the proposed improvements.

Design/Corridor Mobility

Yes A raised median will be constructed as a part of this project. Yes Project includes 5-foot sidewalks and a 14-foot shared-use lane. Yes This project will improve the signal at FM 525/Aldine Bender Road and Lee Road.

Community

No This project is not a recommendation in a regional or local plan/study.

Yes FM 525/Aldine Bender Road is on the City of Houston’s Thoroughfare Plan as a major thoroughfare.