Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	IH 10 E SAN JACINTO RIVER BRIDGE AND SS 330 INTERCHANGE RECONSTRUCTION
Facility/Street/Highway	IH 10 E
Limits	W OF MAGNOLIA ST TO W OF THOMPSON RD/SS 330 INTERCHANGE
Description	RECONSTRUCT SAN JACINTO RIVER BRIDGE AND WIDEN FROM 6 TO 11 MAIN LANES AND CONSTRUCT 4 NON-TOLLED MANAGED LANES AND SS 330 INTERCHANGE RECONSTRUCTION
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$555,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

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

Yes

1a. If the project is recommended in a freight plan, please provide the plan or study name.

H-GAC 2023 Regional Goods Movement Study

1b. If the project is recommended in a freight plan, please provide a link to the plan or study website.

https://engage.h-gac.com/regional-goods

1c. If yes, please select the project priority/ranking identified in the freight plan.

High

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

Yes

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.

11.20

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

17.5

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?

1,000,000

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.

Description: The project consists of reconstructing the San Jacinto River Bridge and widening IH 10 E from 6 to 11 main lanes and constructing 4 non-tolled managed lanes as well as reconstruction of the SS 330 interchange in a high growth area of Harris County at the heart of the regional freeway network. It is an essential link in the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) and Texas Highway Freight Network (THFN) and is part of H-GAC’s Critical Urban Freight Network for the region. It’s identified as a “High Priority” project in the 2023 H-GAC Regional Goods Movement Plan, and it connects directly to other “High Priority” projects along IH 10 that involve rehabilitation, widening and reconstruction of interchanges and bridges. Its also part of the H-GAC RTP (MPOID 18707), as well as in the East Port Area Subregional Plan and IH 10 E PEL. The project will include improvements to safety conditions, congestion, and freight connectivity. This project segment is on IH 10 S E which is a Texas hurricane evacuation route. Baytown Park and Ride (METRO Route 237) to Old San Jacinto Mall uses this portion of IH 10 E and now they will be able to use managed lanes to get to Baytown faster, increasing reliability on the transit service. Need: In TTI’s 2022 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas Report the segment that contains the project was ranked 73rd highest in truck delay statewide. The annual total delay per mile on the segment was 76,534 person hours and truck delay was 8,820 person hours. The current delay volume on the segment is roughly 124,677 vehicles per day of which 11.20 percent are trucks, impacting goods movement throughout the region. The annual volume is estimated to increase by 40 percent between 2021 and 2041, and truck traffic is expected to account for 17.5 percent. The crash rate on this segment is 132.62 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which is higher than the statewide average of 83.38 on similar types of roadways. The fatality rate is 0.6 and the serious injury crash rate of the segment is 1.99. The pavement along this segment has many sections in fair condition, having an International Roughness (IRI) Index Score between 95 and 170. The San Jacinto Bridge is in fair condition, with a minimum condition score of 5, according to FHWA guidelines. According to the H-GAC Regional Resilience Tool, this project experiences medium criticality, and the area is highly vulnerable to flooding. The San Jacinto River Bridge at this location has been struck by loose barges on multiple occasions during flood events causing major damage to the support structure and forcing the shut down of multiple lanes of IH 10 for several months. Purpose and Contribution: The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion on IH 10 E and to improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service and safety of the Critical Urban Freight Network in the region. This improvement, in conjunction with the other adjacent proposed improvements, will improve freight access to many major freight generators in the region including the region’s seaports, airports, manufacturing facilities and many freight warehouses. The project will improve operations for the regional network by reducing congestion on IH 10 E and improving the connections between other parts of the freeway network. The roadway improvement for IH 10 E will improve operations for the express services that use the link and connect to other parts of the region. The added capacity gained by implementing this project will improve regional connectivity because of its central location in the regional network.

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?

Yes

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 current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 12,6038 vehicles per day. Truck traffic accounts for 11.2 percent of daily traffic volume for 2021. The estimated percent increase in volume from 2021 to 2041 is estimated to be 40 percent, and truck traffic is expected to account for 17.5 percent. Added capacity from the project should improve daily traffic operations and the SS 330 Interchange reconstruction/reconfiguration should clear up a well known bottleneck on the Northbound to Westbound Direct connector ramp in the evening rush hour.

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.

Project connects to Port 10 Logistics Center next to IH 10 E and Thompson Rd/Wade Rd which has some finished and operational warehouses while others are under construction or planned. Truck traffic is generated here by the nearby warehouses (FedEx and WATCO to name a few) and large refinery off SS 330. This project also has a couple of possible truck parking lot locations as a solution for idling trucks in a segment of the region that is in desperate need for truck parking per the TxDOT Truck Parking Study.

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.

Reconstructing the roadways to current standards could provide an opportunity to design continuous frontage roads to promote pedestrian/bicycle connectivity and widen sidewalks to accommodate shared use path facilities where appropriate. Sidewalks and ADA ramps are being constructed around the Crosby-Lynchburg Rd/Independence Pkwy interchange per the May 1, 2023 schematic. Frontage roads should have sidewalks/shared use paths on them per the IH 10 E PEL Study if right of way width allows.

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

Baytown Park and Ride (METRO Route 237) to Old San Jacinto Mall uses this portion of IH 10 E and now they will be able to use managed lanes to get to Baytown faster (bypassing the general purpose lanes), increasing reliability on the transit service. Harris County Transit: 4 Decker Loop uses this IH 10 E EB frontage road route as well (between SS 330 and Thompson Rd).

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.

This bridge has been struck by loose barges on multiple occasions while the San Jacinto River is flooded, causing major damage to the support structures, and forcing a shutdown of multiple lanes for many months. Reconstruction and raising of the San Jacinto Bridge looks to alleviate such risks and help to reduce inoperable time. The dolphins protecting the support structures are being replaced, reinforced, and enlarged to prevent repeat incidents.

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 on this segment is in fair condition, with a minimum condition score of 5, according to FHWA guidelines. San Jacinto River Bridge was built in 1971 (WB) and 1995 (EB). Damaged/missing dolphins will be replaced on this bridge project. The project will bring the pavement and bridge conditions up to TxDOT and FHWA design standards and will improve the state of good repair of the segment and overall system.

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.

0.6

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.

1.99

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 this segment is 132.62 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles traveled, which is higher than the statewide average of 83.38 on similar types of roadways. The fatality rate is 0.6 and the serious injury crash rate of the segment is 1.99. The project improvements will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes and by bringing the segment up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards. A new bridge means new design standards such as but not limited to taller and thicker bridge railings to prevent vehicles from going over the sides into the river.

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.

Medium

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.

This project experiences medium criticality for regional resiliency, and the area is highly vulnerable to flooding This bridge has been struck by loose barges on multiple occasions while the San Jacinto River is flooded, causing major damage to the support structures, and forcing a shutdown of multiple lanes for many months. This new bridge is being raised up an additional 35 feet compared to the existing bridge to avoid this. Dolphins are being replaced and reinforced around the bridge columns to avoid repeat incidents. Reconstruction of the San Jacinto bridge will help to mitigate some of this risk.

Access/Connectivity

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

4,931

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

6,480

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

4,931

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

6,480

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

1,544

1d. Disabled Persons

839

1e. Elderly Persons

255

1f. Limited English Proficiency

877

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.

39.00

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.

There is 1 EPA Superfund site located just north of IH 10 E that is being mitigated by the EPA, extensive coordination between EPA and TxDOT is required. TxDOT is improving access by reconstructing the frontage road to the site with this IH 10 E project where the current access road is gravel. Sidewalks and ADA ramps are being constructed at the Crosby-Lynchburg Rd intersection/interchange below IH 10 East.

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.

There is 1 EPA Superfund site located just north of IH 10 E that is being mitigated by the EPA, extensive coordination between EPA and TxDOT is required. TxDOT is improving access by reconstructing the frontage road to the site with this IH 10 E project where the current access road is gravel. Water pollution and soil contamination are being mitigated and this project will aid in that process.

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 that could be impacted have been identified on this segment at this time. The San Jacinto River (natural) and Coastal Water Authority canal (man-made) will have Best Management Practices (BMP) done during construction to prevent sediment pollution in the river/canal.

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?

Yes

1a. If yes, please explain.

The project will implement new infrastructure technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, and traffic operations and will implement new autonomous/ connected vehicle technology. Brand new Signal Phasing and timing (SpAT) signals will be installed on this segment of the project (Related to CSJ 0912-00-701 that will install 1,100+ of these signals on all traffic lights on TxDOT HOU district roads). This simply broadcasts red, green, and yellow times ahead of signalized intersections to connected vehicles newer than model year 2021 or if you have the apps (Traffic Safely and ConnectSmart) downloaded on your cell phone for older vehicles. This provides ample time for you to slow down before intersections because of the timing and to adequately adjust with flow of traffic- platooning. The advantages are improved safety because of a reduction of red-light-running crashes and carbon emission reductions resulting from better traffic platooning. While it might be part of CSJ 701 right now, this type of work could easily be done on these construction/reconstruction projects.

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

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.