Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	FM 2004 Bridge Replacement
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 2004
Limits	At Chocolate Bayou
Description	Replace existing bridge and approaches (NBI No. 12-020-0-2523-02-011) - Demolish the existing bridge and roadway approaches and replace with a new, 2-lane bridge and new bridge approaches and bring the bridge and approaches up to current standards.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$75,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a statewide, regional, or local freight plan?

2. Is the proposed project located on a Critical Urban/Rural Freight corridor (CUFC/CRFC)?

3. What is the estimated percentage of daily truck volume on the existing project facility? H-GAC staff can provide assistance in gathering the truck data from our website.

9.0%

4. What is the estimated percentage of daily truck volume on the project facility after the proposed project implementation?

10.0%

5. Does the project facility provide new or improved connectivity to a port/airport?

Yes

6. Does the project facility provide new or improved connectivity to other freight generators?

Yes

6a. If yes, what is the estimated warehouse capacity of the other freight generators?

7. Please provide a narrative explaining how the project improves regional goods movement within and through the region. In the narrative, please mention if the project scope includes grade separations at at-grade railroad crossings or implementation of ITS technologies.

The project consists of replacing an existing bridge and approaches located on FM 2004 at Chocolate Bayou in Brazoria County. It involves demolishing the existing bridge that was built in 1966 and roadway approaches (NBI No. 12-020-0-2523-02-011) and replacing them with a new, 2-lane bridge/bridge approaches and bringing the bridge and approaches up to current design standards. The project is listed in the TxDOT Bridge Program and is receiving partial funding from Category 6 funds. This project will improve the resiliency of the bridge by smoothing the steeper grade to the bridge (remains same height above Chocolate Bayou). This is important given FM 2004’s connectivity to two state evacuation routes: SH 6 and SH 288. In addition to improving the bridge condition (currently rated as being in fair condition), it will also improve the state of good repair, increase safety, and allow for greater freight movement. The bridge over Chocolate Bayou has a condition score of 4, rating it in poor condition, according to FHWA guidance. The sufficiency rating of the bridge is 52.8 per the last inspection in December 2022. Bringing the bridge to good condition will improve safety and connectivity on the roadway. Additionally, FM 2004 and this bridge are located in a coastal area that faces increasing storms and flooding. According to the H-GAC Regional Resilience Tool, this project segment is highly vulnerable to flooding. This project is important in improving the resiliency of the roadway, which is connected to key state evacuation routes. Flooding causes damage to roadway infrastructure while also restricting freight movement and connectivity to freight generators. This is especially important on this roadway, where 9 percent of existing daily traffic is truck traffic. The average daily traffic on this roadway is 6,487 and is anticipated to increase 40 percent by 2041. The crash rate is 35.68 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The average fatality rate is 1.36. The purpose of this project is to improve the safety (higher and thicker bridge railings) and resilience (raising the approaches out of of the floodplain) of the bridge on FM 2004 over Chocolate Bayou. This project will include replacing and smoothing the steeper grade to the bridge (remains same height above Chocolate Bayou), as well as flood and drainage infrastructure. This will in turn improve the overall state of good repair of the transportation network. Improving resiliency on this corridor is also key to maintaining freight movement. This improvement will improve freight access to many major freight generators in the region including the region’s seaports, airports, manufacturing facilities and many freight warehouses.

8. Is the project sponsor’s jurisdiction considering strategies to promote off-peak and overnight freight delivery?

9. Is the proposed project located on a State designated hurricane evacuation route?

9a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility identified as a hurricane evacuation route in any regional or local plans?

9b. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternate to a hurricane evacuation route?

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves traffic operations. Within the narrative, please include if the proposed project includes construction of truck only lanes or managed truck only lanes, construction of an interchange, or intersection improvements.

The average daily traffic on this roadway is 6,487 and is anticipated to increase 40 percent by 2041. The project will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also reducing congestion and improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the bridge up to TxDOT and FHWA safety design standards. The project will be smoothing the grade of the bridge approach (while replacing the bridge) which will raise the approaching roadway out of the flood plain and keep this roadway operational during heavy rains and/or storm surges.

2. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project benefits high growth areas. Within the narrative, please explain if the proposed project improves or provides access to new residential developments, retail stores, other land uses, or if the proposed project alleviates future congestion due to potential economic development activity such as expansion of warehouses or other freight generators.

This improvement will improve freight access to many major freight generators in the region including the region’s seaports, manufacturing facilities, and many freight warehouses. The nearby INEOS Chemical Plant on FM 2004 recently expanded their facility (new Low Viscosity Polyalphaolefin Unit) generating new freight traffic. Barge traffic goes under this bridge as well.

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves walking and biking conditions. Within the narrative, please explain if the proposed project scope includes construction of a new or improved existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure on a project facility or in the vicinity of the project.

The project includes 10ft wide shoulders. This is an important gap filler since FM 2004 on either side of the Chocolate Bayou Road has a 10 ft signed shoulder route, except the existing bridge which currently does not have the wide shoulders. FM 2004 has a signed shoulder route with wide shoulders providing access to the Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge as well as a long-distance back country route for both recreational and competitive cycling activities.

4. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves traffic conditions for transit services (local, express, signature, or commuter).

There are no transit services currently operating on FM 2004 but future service could use the main lanes in the future.

5. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project will reduce inoperability for significant periods due to infrastructure damaged by a collision with vehicles such as trucks, ships, and barges.

The next closest Chocolate Bayou crossing is about 7 miles away on County Road 171 east of Liverpool, Texas. Freight traffic and commuters would be forced to drive out of their way to get to the other side of the bayou, thus increasing travel time (travel costs) and emissions in the area. By smoothing the grade of the approach it will raise the roadway out of the flood plain.

6. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project will improve state of good repair and extend the service life of the project facility.

The bridge over Chocolate Bayou has a condition score of 4, rating it in poor condition, according to FHWA guidance. Bringing the bridge to good condition will improve safety and connectivity on the roadway. The project will bring the roadway to FHWA and TxDOT standards. This will lead to an improvement in the state of good repair and extend the service life of the facility.

Planning Factors Criteria

1. What is the existing fatality crash rate at the project location? Regional crash data is available online on the crash data viewer. H-GAC staff will provide assistance in calculating the crash rates upon request.

2. What is the existing serious injury crash rate at the project location? Regional crash data is available online on the crash data viewer. H-GAC staff will provide assistance in calculating the crash rates upon request.

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project reduces expected fatality and serious injury crashes. Narrative must include specific improvements (work types) included in the project scope. Crash reduction factors associated with specific work types can be found in the safety benefits calculation template. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in gathering the crash reduction factors upon request.

The crash rate on the bridge is 35.68 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The average fatality rate is 1.36. The project will improve safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the bridge up to TxDOT and FHWA safety design standards.

Resiliency

1. Please select the vulnerability to flooding score at the project location based on the Regional Resiliency tool. H-GAC staff can provide assistance with the regional resiliency tool upon request.

High

2. Please select the criticality score at the project location based on the Regional Resiliency tool. H-GAC staff can provide assistance with the regional resiliency tool up on request.

Low

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project reduces vulnerability to flooding. The narrative must include specific improvements such as drainage improvements that are included in the scope.

According to the H-GAC Regional Resilience Tool, this project segment is highly vulnerable to flooding. The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical link. All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards. This bridge is being reconstructed and by smoothing the grade of the approach it will raise the roadway out of the flood plain.

Access/Connectivity

Please enter the household population located within a quarter mile buffer of the project location: 1a. Low-Income

715

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

763

2. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a medical facility within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

3. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a school/college/university within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

4. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a social services facility within a quarter buffer of the project location?

Environmental Justice

Please enter household population located within quarter mile buffer of the project location. H-GAC staff can assist in gathering the data. 1a. Low-Income

715

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

763

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

196

1d. Disabled Persons

249

1e. Elderly Persons

1f. Limited English Proficiency

2. What is the average Livable Center Need Index within quarter mile buffer of the project location? H-GAC staff can assist in gathering the data.

10.80

3. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project provides benefits to vulnerable populations. Benefits include safety improvements, construction of or improvements to ped/bike facilities, or improvements to transit stops.

Because it is the only crossing on the river for around 7 miles, the project will ensure vulnerable populations maintain access to jobs, schools, medical facilities, and social services for the regional population.

4. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project avoids or mitigates adverse effects to vulnerable populations. A list of adverse effects was provided in detailed criteria document.

All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards (reduce flooding). Any sound walls that are identified prior during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will be constructed on this project, otherwise the corridor is mostly industrial and vacant land uses that front on FM 2004.

Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources

1. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project avoids or mitigates impacts to natural (flood plains, wetlands) and cultural (historic and archeological sites) resources. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in identifying natural and cultural resources located within a quarter mile buffer of the project location.

No cultural resources have been identified on this segment at this time. During construction Chocolate Bayou (natural) will have Best Management Practices (BMP) done to prevent sediment pollution.

2. Please provide Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) reductions provided by the project. H-GAC staff can provide assistance in calculating NOx and VOC reductions.

H-GAC Staff, Please calculate Emissions reductions for us per email instructions 4/26/23

Innovation

1. Does the project propose to implement new infrastructure technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations?

2. Does the project propose to implement new autonomous/connected vehicle technology?