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FM 1097 Widening TxDOT 1/12/2015 2:00:58 PMProject Narrative
The need for the project is based on existing and anticipated congestion, safety, operations/state of good repair, and economic conditions of the area, including: • Continued and anticipated growth and development • Improved operational efficiency and safety, • Congestion due to competing uses (local vs. through traffic) • Correct roadway deficiencies, • Added capacity for project population and economic growth; • Safety concerns, in that existing roadway alignments and configurations do not meet current AASHTO standards FM 1097 is the only major east-west corridor in northern Montgomery County. It is functionally classified as collector, currently carries 15,200 ADT and two percent truck traffic. Projected volume is expected to double by 2038. With these high traffic volumes, the existing two-lane facility will not address congestion at access points and the intersections. Further, anticipated development both north and south of FM 1097 and west of IH 45 will significantly burden this two lane facility thus decreasing mobility and increasing crashes. The objectives of widening the roadway to a four-lane divided facility are to improve traffic flow within the corridor and reduce the number of traffic accidents from IH 45 to Bentwater Drive. Traffic modeling indicates that the proposed improvements would provide for a facility that would meet estimated traffic volumes beyond the design year of 2035. The purpose of this project is to mitigate safety deficiencies and congestion by providing added capacity, improved sight distance to bring the roadway into conformance with current safety design standard and requirements, and to add a center two way, left turn lane, a noted access management treatment that increases safety by removing turning vehicles from the through lanes. This access management technique is particularly useful on roadways with four lanes or less. The proposed facility typically consists of widening the existing two-lane undivided roadway of FM 1097 from IH 45 to Bentwater Drive (7.2 miles) in Montgomery County to four 12-foot travel lanes (two lanes in each direction) and a 16-foot continuous left turn lane with 10-foot shoulders and open ditches; a curb and gutter system with sidewalks would be included from IH 45 to approximately 1,000 feet west. The existing ROW varies between 80 and 100 feet and the usual proposed ROW width is 150 feet. FM 1097 crosses Lake Conroe and a tributary of Lake Conroe. At the western crossing of Lake Conroe, a parallel bridge structure would be constructed adjacent to the existing bridge. The bridge at the eastern crossing of Lake Conroe would be widened in later years. Three alternatives were investigated for the roadway improvements based on an analysis of the existing traffic conditions, forecasts of future travel demand, and projected population growth. The 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 no-build alternative was also considered. Both design and environmental constraints were evaluated in determining the preferred alignment. The improvements outlined in this application represent the preferred alternative. The No-Build Alternative would not improve the roadway. Only routine maintenance would occur within this area, therefore, congestion would continue and safety problems may increase. TxDOT and Montgomery County have developed a phased approach to implementation of FM 1097 as indicated below: FM 1097 from IH 45 to Anderson – Let 2017 FM 1097 from Anderson to Lake Conroe Hills – Let 2019 FM 1097 from Lake Conroe Hills to Blueberry Hills – 2022 FM 1097 from Blueberry Hills to Bentwater Drive – Long Range Plan (includes bridge)Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes USACE permit required, to be acquired by June 2017 06/02/2007 Yes 82 08/01/2017 Yes Montgomery County is responsible for the usual funding share of 10 percent of the utility adjustment costs. Utility adjustments are to be performed by the provider. No Public meeting - December 18, 2003 Public Meeting - June 3, 2004. NAOPH - August 2006 - Two requests were received, however meetings with these individuals satisfied their concerns, and waivers were signed withdrawing their request for a public hearing. No Public Hearing was held. The EA is 100% complete, part of the right-of-way has already been purchased, and the County is interested in moving the project forward as quickly as possible because of new development occurring in the southwest quadrant of IH 45/FM 1097. Approximately 47 acres of additional ROW (82 parcels) would be required to widen FM 1097 throughout the corridor. The existing ROW varies between 80 and 100 feet. The proposed ROW would be a usual width of 150 feet. Montgomery County will purchase the additional ROW. There would be displacements associated with the proposed project and the additional ROW required. The proposed project has been designed to minimize the number of displacements. However, three businesses, one residence which appears vacant, and two vacant structures (an abandoned storage facility and a small portable building) would be impacted by the proposed project. All would need to be relocated as part of the proposed project construction.Map/Location
Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used