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SH 146 Widening Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 2:26:14 PMProject Narrative
Currently, SH 146 is a multi-lane divided highway that transitions between four, 12-foot main lanes (two each direction) and six, 12-foot main lanes (three each direction). SH 146 is on the national highway system and is functionally classified as 2: US highway. It carried 6% truck traffic in 2013 and is a designated evacuation route. Currently, ADT is more than 48,000; forecasted volumes are expected to exceed 122,000. It runs parallel to IH 45 and provides key access and connection to the Port of Houston, one of the world’s largest port facilities and a key economic generator for the Houston region. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following congestion, safety, operations/state of good repair, and economic problems with the current facility conditions: • Demand exceeds or approaches capacity for both a.m. & p.m. daily commute periods. • Hurricane and emergency evacuation options are a documented concern. • Congestion due to competing uses (i.e. local traffic use and through traffic use). • Roadway design deficiencies. • Predicted increases in truck traffic due to growth of nearby port facilities, which will further degrade the pavement condition. The purpose of the proposed project is to improve mobility and safety by reducing crashes, reduce traffic congestion and increasing reliability, improving safety by providing a better hurricane evacuation route, and creating a facility consistent with thoroughfare and transit plans, and to provide travel options while minimizing adverse environmental effects. The project will improve the existing transportation facility to a state of good repair. SH 146 from Spenser Hwy to Red Bluff Road. The project is approximately 5.5 miles in length. The improvements will generally widen the roadway from four to six lanes (three lanes in each direction) with two, 2-lane frontage roads. This project does not require any right-of-way. The SH 146 MIS was completed in 2003. This project was developed based on an analysis of the existing traffic conditions, forecasts of future travel demand, and projected population growth in this largely industrial/residential area. Several 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 improvements outlined in this application represent the preferred alternative. The preferred alternative consists of widening SH 146 to a six-lane divided facility: three lanes each direction and constructing two, two-lane frontage roads. It also included elevated direct connectors at the SH 146/Port Road interchange, which have already been constructed. This project is contingent upon SH 146 from Red Bluff to Nasa Rd. 1 (CSJ: 0389-05-088) being constructed in order to prevent a bottleneck. The 0389-05-088 project is subject to railroad coordination, which is targeted to occur in the summer 2015. If 0389-05-088 is unable to progress because of ROW constraints, an opportunity for staged construction exists in order to achieve interim congestion relief and enhanced safety in the SH 146 corridor between Fairmont Pkwy and Red Bluff. This staged construction could include construction of the frontage roads and reconstruction of the existing main lanes first within the limits of this project. The estimate for this interim configuration is $36M. Splitting the project up into two parts may, in the end, cost a bit more and the need to do this has not yet been determined, but it is a solution to provide interim mobility/safety benefits to the area, while project development continues on 0389-05-088. At this point, we are moving forward under the assumption that the entire project will be able to move forward as a whole project following the onset of 0389-05-088 construction. A final decision will be made once complete ROW mapping and final financial information is provided to the UPRR so that negotiations can begin in earnest on 0389-05-088 in the summer 2015.0389-05-087 - Typical Section - SH 146 from Fairmont Pkwy to Red Bluff.pdf
Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes This project requires a railroad agreement when the structure at Port Rd is replaced. All other permits are anticipated to be secured before letting. (The project requires a NWP14.) 06/01/2009 No Yes Utilities have been identified in the corridor that will need to be adjusted. At this time, there are no significant problems or anticipated impacts to the project schedule with respect to utility adjustment and the onset of construction for this project. A railroad agreement will be necessary for the bridge replacement when the structure at Port Road is replaced. Typically, utilities adjustments are performed by the utility owner. If eligible, the provider would be reimbursed by TxDOT for relocations/adjustments. No The project is environmentally cleared and a FONSI was approved in March 2009. Appropriate public involvement was conducted as part of the MIS and NEPA process, and a special noise hearing was conducted in 2010. As a result of the special noise hearing, noise walls were constructed. The project is also included in the HGAC RTP and TxDOT’s UTP, which both go through independent public involvement. Public meetings were held: August 22/23, 2000 – MIS; November 28/29, 2000 – MIS; February 19/20, 2002 – MIS (Alternatives); April 16, 2003 – MIS; December 14/15, 2004 – NEPA; December 8, 2005 - NEPA There are no known controversies on this project and the local governments have provided comments to the State that they are supportive of this project. The project is environmentally cleared and a Statement of Continuous Activity was issued in November 2012. A EA re-eval may be needed, but this will not affect the schedule. Completed since the issuance of the FONSI are three grade separations and their associated frontage roads at Wharton Weems, Shoreacres, and Red Bluff Road, in addition to two direct connectors at Port Road (one complete and one currently under construction), as well as the construction of two noise abatement barriers at Shoreacres as a result of a noise workshop held February 2010. The project requires a NWP14. Other projects development activities include schematic design (100% complete), right of way acquisition (100% complete), utility adjustments, PS&E (30% complete), and other routine project activities are on-going.Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used
0389-05-087 - BCT -SH 146 from Fairmont Pkwy to Red Bluff widening.xls.pdf