2018 Call for Projects Application List

Who is Completing the Application?

Please provide contact information for the person who will complete the online application for this project. The email address and password entered here will be used to complete and submit both Pre-Applications and Applications.

Primary Agency Information

Please provide contact information for the agency official who is representing the project sponsor. This individual will be considered the official applicant and must be authorized by their agency to submit this request for funding and make necessary assertations and representations on the agency’s behalf.

Additional Agency Information

1. Is this project being developed and/or implemented in partnership with another agency?

Project Information

1. Project Title

Ford Road Widening and Added Capacity

2. Project County

Montgomery County

3. Facility/Street Name

Ford Road

4. Project limits (from, to) or location (Address)

FM 242 to Kidd Cemetery Road

5. Describe the primary problems to be addressed by the project (Project Need).

In its existing condition, Ford road is two-way roadway between I-69 NB Frontage Road and Mills Drive Branch, with one lane of travel in each direction and a left turn storage bay at the unsignalized intersection of Ricewood Drive and ending at the county line. This corridor supports local east-west traffic moving in and around North Kingwood, Porter and Timberland Acres subdivisions and serves I-69 northbound, a major freight and Hurricane Evacuation Route. Volume to Capacity ratios derived from H-GAC model conformity data confirm the congestion along project limits will increase sharply after 2018 to reaching an LOS of “F” in 2040. An independent Traffic Impact Analysis (TIA) shows 2025 no-build LOS score of “D” in PM hours and “C” in AM hours at the intersection of LP 494. In, addition, the analysis shows the no-build conditions worsening along the corridor in 2045. Longer delay times directly correlate to more emissions and higher levels of pollution. There were a total of 124 crashes between 2015 and 2017 along the project corridor, resulting in a variety of injuries. Four of the crashes were categorized as severe and three involved either a pedestrian or cyclist. The large curve in the road from EB to SB at Ricewood has a divided side road and a multi-unit housing drive within the curve served by an east bound left turn bay. This area has no illumination and advanced warning signage. In addition, the sharp curve of Ford Road intersects with several entry points at Ricewood Dr., a divided, two-way road connecting to N. Lake Houston Dr., creating a hazardous intersection. If the project is funded and Ford Road is widened to four lanes, the curve will require conversion to a ‘T’ intersection due to numerous access points alone the curve that could create turning hazards with multiple lanes. The demographic characteristics in the area surrounding this corridor exceed the H-GAC averages in several Environmental Justice Factors. Based on the criteria supplied by H-GAC the project area is classified as an EJ area. Structurally, the road bed is aging. Longitudinal wheel path cracking is prevalent in the along the corridor, some transverse cracking apparent resulting block cracking leading to moisture intrusion into subgrade strata and ultimately pavement failure. Evidence of outside wheel path cracking is indicative of the absence of a paved shoulder with subgrade stabilization. With paved shoulders, lateral support for live loading in the outside wheel path can be mitigated and reduce the likelihood of wheel path cracking and subgrade failures.

6. Describe the proposed improvement/activity (Description).

Montgomery County is proposing roadway improvements for the Ford Road segment between the I-69 Northbound Frontage Road and Mills Branch Drive. The 3.2-mile corridor is classified by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) as a Major Collector. The proposed project will widen Ford Road from its existing 2-lane alignment to 4 lanes, throughout the limits from Mills Branch Drive to I-69 NB Frontage Road. The roadway environment will be constructed to TxDOT standards including 12’ wide travel lanes with 8’ paved shoulders while maintaining the existing 10’ open ditches on either side for the entirety of the project length. A detailed line item construction estimate and schedule are included in readiness documentation. The project will also include widening at the existing at-grade crossing of UPPR tracks at SH 464. In addition, the curve at Ricewood Drive will be converted to a stop controlled ‘T’ intersection due to numerous access points along the curve to White Oak Apartments and the dived two-way alignment of Ricewood Drive that could create turning hazards with the introduction of multiple lanes of travel. A conceptual schematic showing before and after is attached as part of the readiness documents. No bicycle or pedestrian amenities will be constructed as part of this project. If funded this project is expected to kick off in 2020 and be open to traffic late 2023.

7. Describe the primary outcomes to be achieved by the project (Project Purpose)

The Primary outcomes of the project are to bring the corridor to modern design standards and thus: Reduce delay, improve travel times, and reduce congestion along the corridor. An independent traffic impact analysis shows significant operational benefits of adding a lane of travel in each direction for both the build year 2025 and future year 2040. Improving delay time in peak AM and PM hours along the majority of the corridor shows a corresponding reduction in the amount of hazardous emissions. The analysis results also state that the project will benefit even further from improving the intersection of Loop 494 with Ford Road especially the south bound approach of Loop 494. The TIA analysis is attached to this application. A supplemental congestion benefit has been provided with this project. The benefit yielded is far greater than that achieved via the provided H-GAC methodology. Improve safety for all users. Modernization of the facility and expanded capacity will alleviate crowded road space and improve safety conditions. Realignment and signalization at this intersection would enhance safety and local traffic circulation. By adding a through lane and improving roadway design of the corridor will lead to a measurable reduction in crashes and thereby improving safety and reducing the economic costs of crashes along the corridor. Support Regional Planning Efforts. This project as described in this application is noted as a needed project in the 2016 Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan as a proposed thoroughfare. Improve the SOGR of the existing infrastructure. To ensure a roadway is functioning as designed regular maintenance and preservation must occur. The on-going maintenance is costly and this segment will require substantial maintenance throughout the 20-year planning horizon. Reconstruction will result in a savings for both users (delay during maintenance) the agency (maintenance costs). In addition, the project area has a higher than regional average of households without an automobile, population with limited English-speaking abilities, and senior population. None of the suggested improvements will have an adverse effect on the identified EJ population.

8. Have any MPOID numbers been assigned to this project?

No

9. Have any TxDOT Control-Section-Job (CSJ) numbers been assigned to this project?

No

10. What is the estimated total capital investment required for the project?

Less than $100 million

A. Investment Category & Strategy

(Expand) Roadway Added Capacity/New Construction/Complete Streets

11. Please provide the federal funding amount requested.

12642348

12. Please upload the funding commitment letter or letters of support from the local government.

Ford Road Realignment and Added Capacity - 2018-08-28 Montgomery County Motion.pdf

Project Development/Readiness

1. Please select the level of engineering completed.

Schematic

2. What is the completed or anticipated level of environmental documentation required for the proposed project?

Categorical Exclusion (CE)

A. What was/is the anticipated completion date of the environmental clearance?

04/01/2021

B. Type of Categorical Exclusion (CE)? (Optional)

(d)-list Open-Ended Approval Authority for CEs 23 CFR 771.117(d) provides a means to approve categorical exclusions that are not specifically included on the (c)- and (d)-lists. FHWA refers to this as “(d)-list open-ended approval authority for CEs,” or more simply, an “open-ended (d) CE.” To qualify as an open-ended (d) CE, a project must meet all the criteria listed in 23 CFR 771.117(a) and the definition of a CE in 40 CFR 1508.4. A project meeting the Section (a) criteria automatically meets the definition in 40 CFR 1508.4. In addition, the project cannot have substantial controversy on environmental grounds.

3. Will any of the following be required to implement the project? US Army Corps of Engineers Permits

No

US Coast Guard Permits

No

Railroad Agreements

Yes

None of the Above

No

4. Will the acquisition of Right of Way or an easement be required to implement the project?

No

5. Has utility coordination been initiated for the project?

No

6. Will the project improve or significantly affect infrastructure owned or operated by another agency?

No

7. Please upload project development timeline. A sample of Best-Case Scenario project development timeline can be downloaded here for your review. (Optional)

Ford Road Realignment and Added Capacity - Project Timeline.xlsx

8. Please provide any additional project development/readiness information relevant to the proposed project. (6000 characters max) (Optional)

The widening of Ford Road has been the subject of regional interest for the past several years. It has been included in both the H-GAC 240 Regional Transportation Plan and the Montgomery County 2016 Major Thoroughfare Plan. In, 2017 Montgomery County Commissioners Court Precinct 4 developed a Program of Projects Report that have since become the main focus and scope of this application. 2018 has seen the inclusion of Ford Road in the Montgomery County Road Bond Projects committing funds for the 20% local match of the of the total project cost. If funded, the project could advance to a 30% submittal (DSR review with TxDOT) within 6 months upon execution of an advance funding agreement and a design contract with an engineering firm.

9. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment (Optional)

MONCO-Ford Road TIP Readiness Materials.zip

Map/Location

1. Please provide a clear and concise GIS coverage or PDF map for the proposed project. (MPK ESRI Map Package file preferred)

Ford Road Realignment and Added Capacity .zip

Project Budget

1. Please attach a completed project budget worksheet. Templates are available on the 2018 Call for projects website.

Ford Road Realignment and Added Capacity - Budget Sheet.xlsx

2. Are Transportation Development Credits (TDCs) being requested?

No

Benefit/Cost Analysis

1. Safety Benefits

MCD_Ford Road_Roadway-Safety-Benefits.xlsx

2. Delay Benefits

10302018105106PM.xlsx

3. Emissions Benefits

MCD_Ford Road__Roadway-Emissions-Benefits.xlsx

4. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

Ford Alternative Congestion & Safety Benefits.zip

5. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

Ford Supporting & Synchro files.zip

Planning Factors - Connectivity to Employment/Eliminates At-Grade Railroad Crossings

1. Does the facility directly connect to or is located within 1/2 mile of employment?

Yes

A. If yes, please indicate number of jobs the facility directly connects to or is within a 1/2 mile?

901 - 1000

2. Does the proposed project eliminate or prevent at grade railroad crossing?

No

Planning Factors - Environmental Justice

1. Is the proposed project located in or is adjoining an environmental justice sensitive area (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

A. If Yes, Will the project incorporate measures that reduce, minimize or avoid adverse effects environmental justice sensitive areas (census block groups) identified by HGAC?

Yes

Planning Factors - Improves Corridor Level of Travel Time Reliability (LOTTR)

1. The proposed project will reduce Planning Time Index (PTI) by:

0.11 - 0.20

2. Please upload your completed LOTTR template.

MCD_Ford _lottr-estimation.xlsx

Planning Factors - Improves Multimodal LOS

1. Does the proposed project improve highway/freight LOS?

Yes

2. Does the proposed project improve transit LOS?

No

3. Does the proposed project improve bike/pedestrian LOS?

No

4. Please provide a brief narrative explaining how proposed project improves multimodal LOS (Auto, Bike/Ped, and Transit).

The widening of Ford Road will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The operational traffic analysis shows significant improvement with implementation of the project at the intersections along the corridor in both 2025 and 2040. The operational analysis shows an AM and PM peak hour daily delay reduction of 77 hours in 2025 and 562 in 2040.

Planning Factors - Planning Coordination

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a regional/sub regional/or locally adopted plan including regional thoroughfare plans? Or Has the sponsor conducted interagency coordination with other local or state agency affected by the proposed project?

Yes

A. If yes, please provide the title of the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

2016 Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan and the H-GAC 2040 Regional Transportation Plan

B. If yes, please provide a link to the regional/sub regional or local plan in which the proposed project is recommended.

Montgomery County: http://www.h-gac.com/taq/transportation-planning-studies/montgomery-county/montgomery-county-thoroughfare-plan.aspx H-GAC: http://www.h-gac.com/taq/plan/2040/docs/2040-RTP-revised-April-2016.pdf

Planning Factors - Roadway Hierarchy/Freight System Priority/Evacuation Route

1. Please select the functional classification of the roadway on which the proposed project is located, based on the characteristics of the roadway after the project is implemented. The FHWA Highway Functional Classification Concepts, Criteria and Procedures is provided in the link below.

Collector

2. Is your project located on one of the following? Greater Houston Freight System

No

Locally Designated Freight Corridor

No

State Designated Evacuation Route

No

None of the Above

Yes