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FM 2100 Widening Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 5:55:42 PMProject Narrative
The need for the proposed FM 2100 improvements is substantiated by rapid population growth and outward development of east and northeast Houston, and by the inability of the existing roadway system to sustain current and future traffic demand. The existing facility is a two-lane undivided highway and does not meet current design standards. The proposed project is needed to improve safety and facilitate mobility in east Harris County. The Annual Daily Traffic (ADT) volume along this section of FM 2100 is approximately 19,000 vpd and is expected to increase to 29,900 vpd by 2035, a 57% increase over the next 20 years. Currently within the project limits, FM 2100 is utilized most heavily by local residents. Traffic moves very slowly through the project limits during peak travel times when commuters utilize the roadway to access I-10, FM 2090, FM 1960 and US 90. FM 2100 also experiences increased use during the vacation season due to recreational activities associated with Lake Houston. The current posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour (mph) and the flow of traffic is controlled by a combination of signals and signs. Numerous private and commercial driveways front FM 2100 and more than 20 side streets intersect the roadway within the project limits. As the Houston Metro area continues to develop, more regional traffic would utilize FM 2100 for circumferential movement. TxDOT proposes to upgrade FM 2100 from a two-lane, undivided facility to a four-lane, divided facility due to mobility needs and safety concerns. The project would accommodate future traffic volumes and reduce congestion, facilitate left and right turning movements at intersections, and upgrade the facility to meet current design and safety standards. The proposed FM 2100 would typically consist of four 12-foot travel lanes, two in each direction. The roadway would be divided by a curbed raised median. The proposed project would require additional ROW at various locations. Drainage along the roadway would be modified to convey drainage through a curb and gutter system from South Diamondhead Boulevard to Hare Cook Road. A shared use lane would be provided to accommodate bicycles in this section. From Hare Cook Road to FM 1960, roadside drainage ditches would be used to convey drainage. A wide outside shoulder would be provided to accommodate bicycles in this section. Sidewalks would be constructed throughout the project. Several conceptual design alternatives most likely to meet the project’s need and purpose were identified and evaluated by the project study team. These alternatives were analyzed using affects to property owners, mobility benefits, environmental effects, safety, and cost and funding feasibility. The proposed build alternative is the recommended alternative because it utilizes the existing FM 2100 alignment, improves area mobility and facilitates future expansion of other local roadways, minimizes environmental effects, improves driving conditions, and is compatible with available funding. See the corridor map, attached, for staging of this corridor. The project in this application is approximately 7.7 miles long and requires ROW for most of its length. Opportunities for staged construction are limited.Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes USACE permit will be required, to be acquired by June 2016. 08/01/2007 Yes 77 08/01/2017 Yes A preliminary utility evaluation was conducted and no major utilities were identified within the project limits. Adjustment of minor utilities will likely be required. At this time, it is not anticipated that utility adjustments will impact the project schedule. Utility adjustments are typically performed by the provider, with TxDOT reimbursement if eligible. No Two public meetings were held for this project – on October 21, 2003 and September 25, 2007. A public hearing is planned for mid-2015. Environmental is 60% complete. PS&E is 30% complete.Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used