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FM 646 Widening TxDOT 1/12/2015 6:59:17 PMProject Narrative
The following items are the focal points regarding the need for this project: • Improved mobility both locally and regionally due to the projected increases in Traffic, population, and development • Decreased congestion during hurricane evacuations • Improved safety and operational efficiency • Reduced congestion and address safety concerns at the at-grade railroad crossing The purpose of the project includes: Increase safety and operational efficiency (mobility) Reduce congestion during evacuation events Provide added capacity for future traffic volumes Addition of an overpass at the Union Pacific railroad crossing Reconstruction of the roadway and the addition of travel lanes will improve mobility and provide additional capacity for future traffic. Widening the shoulders and adding a raised center median would improve the safety characteristics of the roadway. Construction of a new overpass at the Union Pacific Railroad crossing will also improve mobility and increase safety along the corridor. The FM 646 roadway improvements are being proposed by TxDOT under five Control Section Job (CSJ) numbers: 3049-01-027 (Benson Gully to IH 45, let in August 2011), 3049-01-022 (Edmunds Way to FM 1266), 3049-01-023 (FM 3436 to FM 1266), 0978-02-053 (FM 3436 to SH 146), and 0978-02-034 (SH 146 (N) to 1 mi east of SH 146). The last section of the roadway that passes through the unincorporated community of Bacliff is also referred to as Grand Avenue. The proposed project is to widen FM 646 from a two-lane undivided roadway to a four-lane divided roadway, widen the shoulders, and add a raised center median to the roadway. A new overpass will be constructed at the UPRR crossing. Several roadway design concept alternatives were developed by the project sponsor. During the alternatives analysis process, described in detail in the EA. five preliminary alternatives were initially proposed to determine whether any of them meet the stated need and purpose of the project. The preliminary alternatives studied include the No-Build Alternative, widening to the north, widening to the south , widening to center and a combination of these. Following the public meetings. public input was taken into further consideration. As a result, a combination of the north and center alignments (Alternatives A and C) is considered the Preferred Alternative (Alternative D). The majority of the proposed project area would have equal amounts of ROW acquired from the north and south sides of the roadway except in the vicinity of Elva Lobit Parle The park is adjacent to the roadway on the south side of FM 646, approximately 1.2 mi east of SH 3. To completely avoid this park. the alignment is proposed to shift to the north from Wyoming Street to approximately 1.0 mi east of the park limits and then return to the center alignment. Like Alternatives A. B. And C. this alternative would also not acquire additional ROW in the Bacliff area. This alignment was preferred by the public because of the design modifications that avoided the park. The Preferred Alternative would meet all the project needs by improving mobility, decreasing congestion during hurricane evacuations, and improving safety and the operational efficiency of the roadway as well as incorporate the public involvement. The corridor is being staged as shown in the attached Corridor map.Project Narrative
Yes Environmental Assessment (EA) Please Select Yes NWP 14, environmental document was 100% complete; re-eval was approved November 2013. 08/01/2010 Yes 50 08/01/2020 Yes Utility adjustments are typically made by the provider, with TxDOT reimbursement where eligible. Entity is responsible to present TxDOT the adjustment plans and get it approved before begin any adjustments. Since this is an interstate project, the adjustments are fully reimbursable. No PM November 17, 2005 PM September 7, 2006 Public Hearing was held on July 13, 2010. Information regarding the project was posted on the TxDOT Houston District website. Copies of the EA and proposed design were made available to the public at the TxDOT Houston District office and the TxDOT Galveston Area Office. The environmental document was completed and a FONSI awarded May 23, 2011. A Re-evaluation was approved November 15, 2013. The ROW mapping is 100% complete. The project can probably let prior to complete ROW acquisition.0978-02-053 - SCHEMATIC - FM646 from Gum Bayou to SH 146.pdf
Evalutation Questions - Major Investments
Benefit/Cost Methodology
Please attach the completed BCA Excel worksheet and narrative explanation of analyses used