High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name City of Dickinson
Project Title Dickinson Ave./FM 1266 Safety Improvements
Facility/Street/Highway Dickinson Avenue / FM 1266
Limits FM 646 to FM 517
Description The improvement will be a full reconstruction of the roadway including the addition of street lighting, sidewalk facilities, and upgrades to signalized intersection at Deats Road. To accommodate the addition of sidewalks, the existing open ditches will be replaced with culverts.
Timeframe Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost $15,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

There are currently several developable parcels of significant size that remain undeveloped along Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) between FM 646 and FM 517. The project will support these undeveloped parcels including large tract lots (4 - 10 acres) as well as high visibility corner lots at FM 646 and also at Deats Road. Per the H-GAC Regional Land Use Information System, the currently undeveloped large tracts are projected to become single family residential development and the corner lots are projected to become mixed use or commercial developments. Utilizing H-GAC's Activity-Connectivity Explorer (ACE) Tool, an analysis of the population and job growth for TAZs 4697, 4698, 4703, 4704, 4727, 4726, 4731, 4705, and 4707 (all within 1/4 mile of Dickinson Avenue - FM 1266), the area will experience an increase of 5,571 residents and 619 jobs between 2018 and 2045. This translates to a population growth of 38.9% and jobs increase of 28.6% between 2018 and 2045.FM 646, the northern boundary of this project, has been listed under H-GAC's 2045 RTP Projects and will be widened to four lanes divided roadway with raised median from a two-lane roadway. When FM 646 is widened, it is anticipated the traffic volumes will grow and spur development along the FM 1266 corridor. Due to this increased traffic from adjacent corridors, as well as additional population and employment projections derived from the H-GAC regional travel demand model, it is anticipated that traffic on Dickinson Avenue (FM1266) will increase over 18% between 2023 and 2045. This project will widen the FM1266 corridor from a 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section including a continuous left turn lane throughout, which will add additional capacity and assist with efficient and safe turning movements as the adjacent population grows. The project will add shared use paths as well, allowing for additional multimodal accommodations to reach nearby destinations.

Yes

City of Dickinson Proposed Mobility Plan: https://map.viewprogis.com/vp/dickinson-tx?widget=2175c8fe-831c-47f0-8a41-c1e75d2857f3

This project is a total reconstruction of an asphalt roadway to concrete on Dickinson Avenue from FM 517 to FM 646 and will include facilities for multimodal users. The corridor will be widened from its current 2-lane cross section to a 3-lane cross section including a continuous left turn lane throughout for efficient traffic and safe turning movements along the project limits. The project will add new eight-foot wide shared use paths on both sides of the road. The shared use paths will be segregated from the traffic and ensure comfort and safety of bicyclists and the pedestrians through a four-foot wide buffer. The project will also include installation of ADA ramps, crosswalks, streetlights, and necessary signage along the entire corridor. The existing deep, open ditches on both sides of the roadway will be replaced with curbs and gutters, allowing for the addition of the shared use paths. The drainage system will be relocated beneath the roadway will in reinforced concrete boxes or pipes for storm water storage and conveyance. Utilities such as water, sanitary, sewer lines and others will be relocated/upgraded along the entire corridor. The existing bridge crossing the ditch will be widened to include a continuous shared use path throughout the corridor. Additionally, The project will upgrade span wire traffic signals to mast arms with high visibility signal heads at the intersections of FM 646, SH 146, and Deats Road. The existing signalized intersection at Deats Road will be reviewed for potential geometric changes to remove the existing skewed alignment of Deats as it intersects with Dickinson Avenue (FM1266). The goal will be to create as close to a 90-degree intersection as possible. Additionally, operational improvements such as a dedicated left turn lane (northbound to westbound) and a dedicated right turn lane (southbound to westbound) will be considered. The complete street approach will result in more efficient and safer for all users including personal autos, school buses, heavy trucks, transit buses, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Yes

The project proposes to expand the existing 2-lane roadway to include a continuous left turn lane for the entire length of FM 1266 (Dickinson Avenue) from FM 517 to FM 646. The new 3-lane roadway will provide improved access to new single family residential development, mixed use or commercial developments that are projected to develop on large track lots adjacent to the project. The project connects various subdivisions, commercial establishments, and the Jake Silbernagel Elementary school in the project area. Additionally, there is no existing bike or pedestrian facility along the corridor creating unsafe situations for pedestrians and bicyclists. The proposed 8-ft wide shared use paths on both sides of Dickinson Avenue (FM1266) will establish a safe multimodal network along the corridor and improve access for existing as well as new parcels/neighborhoods along the project to Jake Silbernagel Elementary School. The project will create a contiguous, safe, and accessible multimodal network along Dickinson Avenue/FM1266.

Yes

Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) provides critical connectivity between FM 517 and FM 646 in the communities of Dickinson and League City respectively. FM 646, the northern boundary of this project, has been listed under H-GAC's 2045 RTP Projects and will be widened from a two-lane roadway to a four lane divided roadway with a raised median. When FM 646 is widened, it is anticipated the traffic volumes will grow and spur development along the FM 1266 corridor. Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) currently serves as an alternate route to IH 45 and SH 3, both of which are often congested with daily and commuter traffic. With average daily truck traffic volume of 5.8%, Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) serves as a designated Hazardous Materials Route. By rerouting commuter traffic locally, the reconstructed corridor with multimodal alternatives will improve operational efficiency in the area and help reduce congestion during peak hours. The addition of a center turn lane and high visibility mast arm traffic signals, will improve safety and function for personal autos, school and transit buses, and heavy trucks. The buffered shared use paths and enhanced crosswalks and signalization at intersections will increase safety for bicyclists and pedestrians, while enhancing the traffic flow along the project corridor.

A

Yes

FM1266 serves as an important north-south connection between Dickinson and League City. Improved conditions along this roadway will promote connectivity and better allow FM1266 to serve as the primary route for personal autos and heavy trucks through the area instead of drivers using Ohio Street to the west or Texas Street to the east, both of which are local roads traversing residential neighborhoods. By improving FM 1266 (Dickinson Avenue) to accommodate higher traffic volumes, cut-through traffic will be reduced from both parallel roadways (Ohio St. and Texas St.) resulting in lower traffic volumes local streets in both neighborhoods. The lower traffic volumes on local streets in these neighborhoods will increase safety and comfort for residents in the project area.

No

Yes

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.InvestmentCategory5ai

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

Yes

Traffic operations will be greatly improved for all transportation modes as a result of this project. The operational improvements will be achieved through the addition of a continuous center turn lane along the entire length of the project. The center turn lane will allow any vehicles turning left to enter the center turn lane to wait until a safe left turn movement can be made. This will remove the vehicles making left turn movements from the through travel lanes, allowing for more safe and efficient traffic flows in both directions. Additionally, the addition of 8-foot pedestrian and bicycle facilities on both sides of the roadway will provide safe, buffered spaces for pedestrians and bicyclists to traverse the corridor while completely removed from the travel lanes. Currently, there are no dedicated sidewalks or bicycle facilities on the corridor, forcing autos, truck, bicycles, and pedestrians to all utilize the substandard 11' travel lanes. Additionally, the project proposes to completely reconstruct and update the 3 existing signalized intersections along the corridor. On the northern end of the project at FM 646, improvements will be considered such as the addition of a dedicated right turn lane for traffic headed toward SH 146 to the east. The traffic signals will be upgraded by installing mast arms with high visibility signal heads, increasing safety of the intersection. In the middle of the corridor, the existing signalized intersection at Deats Road will be reviewed for potential geometric changes to remove the existing skewed alignment of Deats as it intersects with Dickinson Avenue (FM1266). The goal will be to create as close to a 90-degree intersection as possible. Additionally, operational improvements such as a dedicated left turn lane (northbound to westbound) and a dedicated right turn lane (southbound to westbound) will be considered. Lastly, at the southern end of the corridor, the signalized intersection at FM 517 will be reconstructed as well. The traffic signals will be upgraded by placing on mast arms with high visibility signal heads. The timing of all 3 signals along the project length will be analyzed and optimized to meet current traffic conditions. Lastly, the proposed drainage improvements including box-culverts beneath the roadway, will create much-needed additional stormwater capacity and conveyance during major rain events. This will allow for the reconstructed roadway to remain open and accessible when other roadway facilities in the area may experience flooding.

As the corridor currently exists, there are no sidewalks or bicycle facilities anywhere within the project area creating an extremely unsafe situation for pedestrians, bicyclists, and drivers. The proposed improvements include the addition of 8-foot sidewalks to be placed on each side of the roadway creating a safer, dedicated space for multimodal users to access and traverse the corridor. These improvements are critical for the residential and educational facilities along the corridor. The majority of the existing development along both sides of the corridor are single family homes and mobile home parks. Additionally, Jake Silbernagel Elementary School is located on the east side of the corridor, just north of Deats Road. There is currently no bicycle or pedestrian access to the elementary school, resulting in unsafe conditions for the elementary students and parents attempting to access the school by non-automobile modes. Additionally, through a separate project, a sidewalk will be added to 25th Street, on the southern side of the elementary school to improve pedestrian access to the neighborhood east of the school. Together, the bicycle and pedestrian improvements proposed on Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) and 25th Street will result in safer access to Jake Silbernagel Elementary School.

Currently, the Gulf Coast Transit District (GCTD) operates fixed route transit services in portions of Brazoria and Galveston Counties, including in the cities of Dickinson and League City. The current fixed route alignment travels along southbound along Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) from Deats Road to 30th Street. The addition of the center turn lane (widening the current 2-lane roadway to a 3-lane roadway) in the proposed improvements will greatly benefit this important local transit service. The ability for buses to utilize the center turn lane will create a safer and more efficient traffic condition for the buses in the main travel lanes, and will allow the buses to maintain a better schedule and on time performance to meet the needs of some of Dickinson's most vulnerable residents who rely on the GCTD bus service as their only means of mobility. Additionally, the proposed sidewalk improvements along Dickinson Avenue (FM1266) will allow for a future expansion of GCTD transit routes in the area that could better connect Dickinson and League City.

The reconstruction of Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) will greatly improve safety and accessibility for personal autos, heavy trucks, and school buses during periods of inoperability due to construction, flooding or traffic accidents that occur on the main lanes or feeder roads of IH-45, just 2 miles west of the project area. This portion of IH-45 has been under construction since 2020 and will remain so in the near future as TxDOT continues its massive reconstruction of the freeway and frontage roads. Additionally, the addition of the continuous center turn lane will improve safety and accessibility during periods of inoperability for Dickinson Avenue in the event of a stalled vehicle or minor crash event that could render one lane of travel unusable. This will also allow better and faster accessibility for emergency response vehicles along the corridor. The same will be true during routine maintenance and construction along the corridor. The addition of shared use paths on both sides of Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) will provide a safe and accessible connection for bicyclists and pedestrians that does not exist today. These buffered, off-street facilities will provide critical accessibility for users of all ages and ability levels. Lastly, the proposed drainage improvements including box-culverts beneath the roadway, will create much-needed additional stormwater capacity and conveyance during major rain events. This will allow for the reconstructed roadway to remain open and accessible when other roadway facilities in the study area may experience flooding.

Though the existing pavement condition of Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) from FM 517 to FM 646 is currently in fair condition, the proposed reconstruction of the roadway with a concrete surface will reduce long-term maintenance costs in the future. Additionally, the updated stormwater drainage facilities proposed include removing the existing open ditches to replace with a curb and gutter cross section with subterranean drainage, which will mitigate long term maintenance costs associated with mowing, debris removal, and retrenching. Lastly, the replacement of the existing span wire traffic signals at FM 646 and FM 517 will reduce long term maintenance costs of those intersections while improving performance and safety during major wind events.

Planning Factors Criteria

3.05

9.16

From 2017 to 2021, there were a total of 320 crashes occurred on Dickinson Ave/ FM 1266 from FM 517 to SH 646, resulting in one fatal crash and three severe crashes. The fatal crash was a pedestrian crash that occurred in 2021 due to the driver failing to drive in a single lane. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, the project includes the following: • Reconstruct roadway to curb and gutter with concrete pavement • Install continuous two-way left turn lane • Install 8’ wide shared use path on both sides of the corridor with 4’ buffer • Install streetlights on both sides of the corridor • Widen the bridge at the West Gum Bayou crossing near the intersection of Dickinson Ave and Deaths Rd • Upgrade traffic signal to mast arm at the intersection of FM 517 and Dickinson Ave, and the intersection of Dickinson Ave and SH 646 • Install new ADA ramps, crosswalks, pavement markings as needed along the entire corridor • Waterline and sanitary sewer replacements and adjustments as required • Relocate utilities as needed The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: •Work Code 518 Install Continuous Turn Lane with 50% crash reduction rate •Work Code 304, 407 Safety Lighting, Install Sidewalks with 46% crash reduction rate •Work Code 108, 305 Improve Traffic Signals, Safety Lighting at Intersection with 33% crash reduction rate •Work Code 108, 401, 403 Improve Traffic Signals, Install Pavement Markings, Install Pedestrian Crosswalk with 30% crash reduction rate

Resiliency

Low

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.Resiliency2

Currently, Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) is drained entirely by open ditches on both sides of the roadway. The proposed improvements include installation of a curb and gutter cross section which will include subterranean stormwater drainage facilities. These stormwater drainage improvements will include a combination of box 10' x 5' and 6' x 6' reinforced concrete box culverts as well as 24" and 36" reinforced concrete pipes. This combination drainage infrastructure will ensure the roadway will have the necessary drainage capacity to exceed local design requirements and provide better drainage than the currently existing conditions. By placing the stormwater drainage facilities underground, it will be possible to introduce the bicycle and pedestrian facilities on the corridor. Additionally, the underground drainage facilities will reduce costly maintenance expenses including mowing, trash/debris collection, and periodic retrenching associated with open ditches. Another improvement proposed by this project includes a wider bridge spanning West Gum Bayou (between FM 517 and Deats Road). This wider bridge span will improve the flow of water beneath the bridge during storm events.

Access/Connectivity

6189

8626

No

Yes

No

Environmental Justice

6189

8626

1562

1168

483

979

29.6

At least 1 in 3 households living on either side of Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) are defined as Low to Moderate Income by HUD. There are some sections on eastern side of the corridor where that number rises to 7 of 10 households. Many households on both sides of the corridor own only 1 car or 0 cars. The residents surrounding this project area are in great need of safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities. Currently, there are no sidewalks or bicycle facilities along Dickinson Avenue (FM 1266) between FM 646 and FM 517. This project proposes to greatly improve conditions for bicyclists and pedestrians by adding 8' sidewalks to both sides of the corridor, each with a 4' landscaped buffer between the curb and sidewalk. Additionally, the number of streetlights along the corridor will be greatly increased, resulting in a much safer and accessible condition for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists throughout the day and night. Other safety enhancements will be included in the project at the 3 signalized intersections such as high visibility crosswalks, pedestrian phase signaling, and pedestrian median refuges as needed.

This project has no adverse effects to vulnerable populations. The list of adverse effects from the detailed criteria and comments are listed below: - Body impairment, infirmity, illness, or death: This project will improve safety for all users, particularly multimodal users through its transportation safety countermeasures. - Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: This project will reduce air pollution through conversion of trips from automobiles to multimodal modes; a soil and groundwater management plan will be implemented during construction. - Disruption or diminution of manmade or natural resources: This project will not affect manmade or natural resources. - Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: This project will improve aesthetic values through landscaping and additional landscaping planted along the corridor. - Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: This project will increase economic vitality and cohesion of the community through improved access, connectivity, and safety. - Impact to public or private facilities and services: This project will improve the impact to public and private facilities or services by improving access and connectivity. - Adverse impacts on employment: This project will create short-term jobs through construction. The improvements will provide access to businesses and other uses along the corridor, which will encourage economic growth. - Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No right of way is required and there will be no displacement. - Increased traffic congestion, exclusion or separation: The improvements will decrease traffic congestion, improve travel time reliability and reduce delay. - Detail or, reduction in, significant delay in receipt of benefits of transportation program: This project is in alignment with local, regional, state and federal goals. The project, if funded, will advance the receipt of benefits of the regional transportation program.

Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources

Most of the project alignment is within the 500- or 100-year flood plain. This area is largely developed with residential neighborhoods. Because the project is an improvement of an existing roadway, it is not anticipated to adversely impact flooding. Coordination will be done with the appropriate flood control agencies as needed. The project crosses a wetland just sound of its intersection with Deats Road; there are also several wetland areas adjacent to the alignment. Project work is not anticipated to fill or dredge any wetland areas and adverse impacts are not expected. A portion of FM 517 just within ¼ mile of the project is considered a Texas State Historic Highway Route (1924 Automobile Red Book – Meridian). Based on the distance from the project, this resource is not anticipated to be impacted. The northern portion of the alignment is in an area designated as “Surface Survey of Mounds Only; No Deep Reconnaissance Recommended.” The area around FM 646 is cleared but undeveloped, but the rest of this designated area has been developed with commercial/industrial and residential uses. An archeological survey will be completed as needed.

Over a 20-year planning horizon from 2026-2045, the project will reduce 0.31 metric tons of NOx and 0.39 metric tons of VOCs.

Innovation

No

No

Additional Documents

662_Dickinson Ave (FM1266) - supporting materials.pdf

662 BCA Memo Dickinson Avenue.pdf

662 Dickinson Avenue BCA_XLSX.xlsx