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Loop 494 Shared Use Path Texas Department of Transportation 1/12/2015 7:06:10 PMProject Narrative
Loop 494 (LP 494) is a north/south urban minor arterial. It does not have a designated bicycle facility. The need for the proposed project is demonstrated by the following conditions: • The cyclists ride alongside vehicular traffic, with an average daily traffic count of 10,100 vehicles and a posted speed limit of 55 miles per hour. • There are gaps in the bicycle network, the shared use path in the widening project of LP 494 goes from Kingwood Dr to Sorters McClellan Rd does not reach Hamblen Rd to connect to the City of Houston’s proposed Kingwood Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection project on Hamblen Rd. The purpose of the proposed project is to provide an 8-foot shared use path, create a safe and hospitable bicycle route, and close a gap in the bicycle network by connecting the shared use path in the LP 494 widening project to the COH proposed shared use path on Hamblen Rd. The proposed shared use path is located on Loop 494 from Sorters McClellan Rd to Hamblen Rd. The project scope is to construct an 8-feet wide shared use path to provide a safe designated route for cyclists and pedestrians that is separated from vehicular traffic as well as associated intersection improvements. This project does not require additional acquisition of right-of-way. LP 494 will connect: - the proposed shared use path on Hamblen Rd (part of the Kingwood Pedestrian/Bicycle Connection project) to the shared use path in the LP 494 widening project Initially the proposed project limits were from Kingwood Dr to the Bevill Jarrell Bridge. After coordinating with TxDOT and the COH, the projects limits were reduced to Loop 494 Sorters McClellan Rd to Hamblen Rd. No other alternatives have been considered or evaluated.Project Narrative
No Categorical Exclusion (CE) (c)(3) Construction of bicycle and pedestrian lanes, paths, and facilities No 01/10/2015 No No Privately owned utilities in conflict would be relocated by the respective owners at their expense. State-owned facilities would be relocated by TxDOT as part of the contract. Although a thorough utility evaluation has not yet been conducted, a preliminary evaluation indicates that there would be no relocations. No None Attached is detail construction budget.Screening Questions
Yes Per AASHTO, the width of a shared use path, in constrained situations, can be 8 feet if there is no constant heavy bicycle traffic, pedestrian traffic is expected to be occasional, maintenance vehicles will not use the share use path regularly, and there are resting and passing opportunities. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition pg. 5-3).Evalutation Questions - Pedestrian/Bicycle Projects
Design Standards
Yes Per AASHTO, the width of a shared use path, in constrained situations, can be 8 feet if there is no constant heavy bicycle traffic, pedestrian traffic is expected to be occasional, maintenance vehicles will not use the share use path regularly, and there are resting and passing opportunities. (AASHTO Guide for the Development of Bicycle Facilities, Fourth Edition pg. 5-3).Connectivity
Barrier Elimination
Yes The proposed north/south facility in coordination with the 8 ft sidewalk on the Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project and the City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road, align with the Regional Bikeway Concept Map. The proposed facility will close a gap in the bicycle network; if the proposed segment is not funded, there will be a gap between the 8ft sidewalk to be included in the Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project and the City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road.Pedestrian/Bicycle Facility Connections
Yes The proposed facility will connect to two pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The City of Houston’s proposed shared use path along Hamblen Road will be built in the next 4 years. The 8ft sidewalk will be included in the upcoming Loop 494 Roadway Widening Project. The proposed facility as well as the other two projects will be evaluated in the same TIP 2015-2018 Call for Projects.Transit Connections
None of the Above N/AConnections to Regional Destinations
None of the Above* Density thresholds for different types of activity centers are defined within the Livable Centers Benefits Calculator, which is available online at http://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/tools.aspx. Project area is considered within a 1/2-mile radius of the project location.
N/APilot Projects
No N/ASafety
Does proposed facility:
Yes No No No No additional comments
Project will be awarded:
15 points if three or more of the aforementioned characteristics are met.
10 points if two of these characteristics are met.
5 points if one of these characteristics is met.
Existing Plans/Studies
No N/AFunding Leverage
Neither N/AUnderserved Population Access
Is all or part of the proposed facility located within a Census Tract that has a higher proportion of the following populations than the regional average:
H-GAC to conduct analysis based on the GIS/map project location provided above
Project will be awarded:
3 points if one of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
7 points if two of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average
10 points if three of the aforementioned indicators is above the regional average