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

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Intersection Throughput Enhancements

2. Project County

Harris County

3. Facility/Street Name

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Intersection

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

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Intersection (~150 feet north and south on S. Post Oak Lane)

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

The intersection at Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Street is an important intersection for the regional transportation network. San Felipe is a functionally classified as a minor arterial and is a significant east/west corridor in Houston. Near the intersection of Post Oak Lane, the average daily traffic count is approximately 37,000 according to Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) 2016 Houston Urban Saturation Traffic Counts. Post Oak Lane is classified as a local roadway but, according to the TxDOT Urban Saturation Counts, carries about 13,360 AADT on the southern end near Post Oak Lane. The current and future projected volumes at this intersection in combination with the intersection’s existing geometric configuration overloads the intersections, which results in peak and midday levels of service (LOS) D in 2017 and E in 2040 and significant delay. Using microsimulation modeling, the projected annual delay during weekday midday, AM and PM peak and midday Saturdays is 99,600 hours in 2018 and 176,000 hours in 2040. Additionally, there were 14 intersection related crashes between 2015 and 2017. The intersection is undersized and is causing significant delay and turning movement crashes.

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

The southbound approach on Post Oak Lane to San Felipe currently has one dedicated left lane and a through/right/left lane. The northbound approach has a through/left lane and a through/right lane. The new configuration for the southbound approach will be two dedicated left turn lanes and one through/right lane. The northbound approach will be one dedicated left, one through and one through/right lane. The addition of left turn bays for both south and north bound approaches allows for protective left turn phasing. This type of phasing can often result in reduced delays for the intersection operations while providing sufficient time for pedestrian phases that are usually allowed with the through movements. In addition to the chosen build alternative there were two additional alternatives considered, as well as the no build scenario. Alternative A - No Build: The no build alternative will keep the intersection configuration as is, the intersection would not be expanded. This alternative does not expand the mobility and safety goals of the 2045 Regional RTP. Alternative B assumes the addition of a turn bay at the Post Oak Lane southbound approach and change of lane assignments to one exclusive left turn bay, a left-thru lane, and a thru-right lane. The phasing scheme for the side street assumed split phasing due to the shared left-lane configuration at both the northbound and southbound approaches. For this alternative, the northbound approach is assumed to be the same as in existing conditions. This option shows benefits to both congestion and crashes, but the split phasing causes a slight reduction in benefits from the build alternative. Alternative C assumed addition of a right turn bay at the Post Oak Lane southbound approach and addition of a left turn bay at the Post Oak Lane northbound approach. This alternative was simulated for PM peak hour traffic volumes and was found not to be the optimal use of lane assignments and therefore the benefits were not analyzed. The Configurations of Build and Alternatives and the Traffic Impact Study are attached.

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

The project will significantly reduce delay through the widening of Post Oak Lane’s southbound and northbound approaches. The widening will allow for additional travel lanes which will result in a LOS of C in AM, Midday, PM peak periods and Midday Saturdays, which is an improvement from LOS D in the existing configuration. In 2040, LOS is projected to be D in AM, Midday, PM peak periods and C for Saturday Midday, which is an improvement from LOS E in the existing configuration. According to the traffic study completed in 2017, the improvement is projected to save 22,100 hours of delay in 2020 (implementation year) and 53,000 hours of delay in 2040. Additionally, there were 14 intersection related crashes between 2015 and 2017. According to Texas Department of Transportation, the addition of a dedicated left-hand turn lane will reduce turning movement crashes by 25% for up to 10 years. The project will enhance the regional RTP goals of moving people and goods efficiently and improving safety.

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.

3201050

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

12_Joint Resolution Authorizing Filing for Application.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?

01/01/2021

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

No

None of the Above

Yes

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

Yes

A. What was/is the estimated completion date for Right of Way/easement mapping?

06/01/2021

B. What was/is the estimated start date for Right of Way/easement acquisition?

01/01/2022

C. What was/is the estimated completion date for Right of Way/easement acquisition?

06/01/2023

D. How many parcels must be acquired to implement the project?

Portions of 4 - corner clips

E. How many parcels have been acquired to date?

0

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?

Yes

A. If Yes, please provide appropriate documentation showing interagency consultation (e.g, interagency agreements, coordination documentation).

Uptown -TIRZ 16 Concurrence.pdf

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

3_Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Intersection Throughput Enhancements - Project Timeline.xlsx

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

90% PS&E can be completed by FY22 in order to meet the year of implementation. This is contingent upon the project being placed in the TIP, STIP, and an AFA being executed in a reasonable time frame. A preliminary environmental assessment has been completed and a CE can be completed by FY21. No major impacts are expected. Little ROW is necessary for this project and will purchased following the Uniform Act requirements for all right of way acquisitions. Utility coordination will occur per the standard TxDOT process, but relocations will be completed under existing franchise agreements. Utility relocation will be completed by 01/01/2024.

9. Additional Project Development/Readiness Attachment (Optional)

Uptown-Post Oak & San Felipe Intersection 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)

UPT Post Oak and San Felipe MPK map.zip

Project Budget

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

4_Post Oak Lane and San Felipe Intersection Throughput Enhancements - Project Budget.xlsx

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

No

Benefit/Cost Analysis

1. Safety Benefits

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe_Roadway-Safety-Benefits.xlsx

2. Delay Benefits

10312018122054AM.xlsx

3. Emissions Benefits

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe_Intersection-Improvements-Emissions-Benefits.xlsx

4. Additional BCA Documentation (Optional)

Synchro_SanFelipe at Post oak Ln.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:

0.01 – 0.10

2. Please upload your completed LOTTR template.

Post Oak Lane and San Felipe_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?

Yes

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

Yes

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

Pedestrians, bikes, autos and transit will all benefit from the intersection LOS improvement and safer crosswalks.

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.

• The project is listed in the Uptown Houston Project Plan, City of Houston, Texas, Ordinance No. 1999-758; pg. 25 & 26.

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

The Uptown Houston Project Plan is included in the Readiness Documents as Attachment 10

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.

Minor Arterial

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