Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	IH 45 NHHIP, Segment 1B
Facility/Street/Highway	IH 45 N
Limits	From Airline Dr to South of Shepherd Dr
Description	RECONSTRUCT MAIN LNS, CONSTRUCT 4 MANAGED LNS, AND RECONSTRUCT AND WIDEN FROM TWO 2-LN FRONTAGE RDS TO TWO 3-LN FRONTAGE RDS (NHHIP SEG 1B)
Timeframe	Long Term (More than 10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$393,500,000.00

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 and the North-Hardy Planning Study/Alternatives Analysis

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; https://www.txdot.gov/content/dam/project-sites/nhhip/docs/north-hardy-alternatives-analysis-report-highway-final-november-2005.pdf

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.

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

8.1

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?

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 on IH 45, in a high growth portion of Harris County (NHHIP SEG 1B), consists of reconstructing main lanes, constructing 4 managed lanes, and reconstructing and widening from two 2-lane frontage roads to two 3-lane frontage roads from Airline Dr to South of Shepherd Dr. The project is at the heart of the regional freeway network. It is an essential link in the National Highway Freight Network (NHFN) and is part of H-GAC’s Critical Urban Freight Network for the region. It is identified as a “High Priority” project in the 2023 H-GAC Regional Goods Movement Plan, and it connects directly to other “High Priority” projects. It is also part of the H-GAC RTP (MPOID 16331), as well as North Houston Association’s 2022 Strategic Mobility Plan. The project is also located on a Texas state evacuation route. METRO (Routes 102, 108, 202, 204, 209, 212, 283, and 291) uses this route, as well as Sawdust Park and Ride, Research Forest Park and Ride, and Sterling Ridge Park and Ride routes from Woodlands Transit. This section of IH 45 is heavily congested and needs additional capacity. In TTI’s 2022 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas Report, the segment that contains the project was ranked 15th highest in All Delay and 20th highest in Truck Delay statewide. The annual total delay per mile on the segment was 473,679 person hours and truck delay was 27,221 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 210,000 vehicles per day of which 8 percent are trucks. By 2041, the daily traffic volume is expected to be roughly 295,000 – a 40 percent increase, with truck traffic expect to represent 8.1 percent after implementation of the project. The project segment contains multiple bridges in fair condition, as well as pavement in fair condition with a maximum rating of 145. In addition, the project has a high criticality score for regional resiliency and serves as an important connection for military operations. The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion on IH 45 and to improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service and safety of the project segment and 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 45 and improving the connections between other parts of the freeway network. The roadway improvement for IH 45 will improve operations for the express services that use the link and connect to other parts of the region. METRO could use the new managed lanes to increase the reliability of the transit service. Route 40 will continue to use the reconstructed frontage road. Sawdust Park and Ride, Research Forest Park and Ride, and Sterling Ridge Park and Ride routes from Woodlands Transit could use the new managed lanes to increase reliability of the transit service. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment of IH 45 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards. Because of its central location in the regional network, the project will also produce improvements in mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to schools, medical facilities, and social services for the regional population.

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.

This section of IH 45 is heavily congested and needs additional capacity. In TTI’s 2022 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas Report, the segment that contains the project was ranked 15th highest in All Delay and 20th highest in Truck Delay statewide. The annual total delay per mile on the segment was 473,679 person hours and truck delay was 27,221 person hours. The current daily volume of traffic on the segment is roughly 210,000 vehicles per day of which 8 percent are trucks. By 2041, the daily traffic volume is expected to be roughly 295,000 – a 40 percent increase, with truck traffic expected to represent 8.1 percent after implementation of the project. The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion on IH 45 and to improve the capacity, connectivity, level of service and safety of the project segment and the Critical Urban Freight Network in the region. The added capacity 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 segment of IH 45 up to current TxDOT and FHWA safety standards.

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.

The project is in a high growth area and provides access to development of residential, retail, commercial, industrial, and other land uses. Further, the project provides access to and from the high-growth area of Montgomery County, which has experienced double digit growth over the past 10 or more years.

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.

As required by state design guidelines, roadway projects must consider bike/ped accommodations. The NHHIP proposes extensive multimodal accommodations and also commits to work beyond, when feasible, the specific facility on projects such as the Emancipation Trail, which ties into NHHIP. Sidewalks will be built on the frontage roads developed by this project.

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

METRO (Routes 102, 108, 202, 204, 209, 212, 283, and 291) uses this route and they could use the new managed lanes to increase reliability of the transit service. Route 40 will continue to use the reconstructed frontage road. Sawdust Park and Ride, Research Forest Park and Ride, and Sterling Ridge Park and Ride routes from Woodlands Transit use this route and they could use the new managed lanes to increase reliability of the transit service.

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 project will add lanes and improve the shoulders to allow more space to move disabled vehicles and to better maintain flow on the facility vehicle collisions. The improved frontage roads will also better accommodate diverting traffic should an incident occur that impacts the mainlanes. Further, the facility is serviced by Tow & Go and Tow & Go has been integrated into ConnectSmart, which will geolocate the user in the event of a qualifying emergency in order to move them from the facility in a safer and faster manner.

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.

Segments of the project have pavement and bridges in fair condition. The project includes reconstruction of the roadway, which 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.

1.15

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.

4.21

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 segment of IH 45 that includes the project had a total crash rate of 280.45 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles of travel over the past five years which is more than twice the statewide crash rate for similar facilities. The segment also had a fatality crash rate of 1.15 per 100 million vehicle miles of travel. The added capacity will improve regional connectivity for all modes while also improving safety by reducing primary and secondary crashes due to congestion and by bringing the segment of IH 45 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety 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.

Low

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.

High

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.

The segment has a criticality score of high for resilience. The enhanced drainage system that results from the reconstruction will improve regional resilience by reducing the risk of flooding on this critical freeway link. All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards. TxDOT worked with HCFCD and COH to develop a drainage plan extending from CBD up Little White Oak Bayou to Independence Heights that will improve hydrologic chokepoints and drainage. NHHIP will reduce Houston's total flood area by approx. 796 acres, lowing flood elevations in Independence Heights and other areas that are frequently inundated by heavy rain events. NHHIP enables TxDOT to invest $20M in COH Buffalo Bayou Bypass Canal Project, which is a post Harvey FEMA initiative to mitigate natural impacts.

Access/Connectivity

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

22,767

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

24,288

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

Yes

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

Yes

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

Yes

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

22,767

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

24,288

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

8,709

1d. Disabled Persons

2647

1e. Elderly Persons

1439

1f. Limited English Proficiency

5274

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.

77.70

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 of its central location in the regional network, the project will improve mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to schools, medical facilities, and social services for the local and regional population. TxDOT has committed $27M in affordable housing project grants for those negatively affected by the project and the overall project will improve and create safer multimodal access for adjacent communities by providing enhanced and safer access to opportunities.

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.

The environmental document discusses TxDOT's extensive process for avoiding, minimizing, and mitigating adverse impacts to vulnerable populations. Generally, for those that may be impacted, TxDOT has committed $27M in affordable housing project grants, thus helping to mitigate adverse impacts, while simultaneously enhancing multimodal access to opportunities that is safer and easier to travel. Further, to mitigate potential short-term noise impacts, TxDOT will provide funding for weatherization and energy efficiency for qualifying low-income, single-family residences. The program will include opportunities for energy efficiency such as caulking, insulation, storm windows, and storm doors. TxDOT is providing relocation services above and beyond what is normally offered in order to minimize impacts. TxDOT is offering classes on home ownership, which includes mortgage lending process. Eligible for replacement housing supplement and actual cost of moving expense up to 50 miles. Also eligible for rental supplement and moving expenses up to 50 miles.

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.

As part of the NHHIP, TxDOT will assist with federal efforts to develop the Emancipation Trail including evaluating the possibility of trail links on the State’s system within the project’s limits. The Emancipation Trail is part of the National Trails System Act that extends 51 miles from Galveston and goes north along SH 3 and IH 45 to Freedman’s Town and then to Independence Heights and Emancipation Park. This trail follows the migration route taken by newly freed slaves and other persons of African descent...” TxDOT will accommodate proposed designated trail links that result from the Emancipation National Historic Trail Study and extend trail links within the State’s ROW, where feasible. TxDOT worked with HCFCD and COH to develop a drainage plan extending from CBD up Little White Oak Bayou to Independence Heights that will improve hydrologic chokepoints and drainage. NHHIP will reduce Houston's total flood area by approx. 796 acres, lowing flood elevations in Independence Heights and other areas that are frequently inundated by heavy rain events. NHHIP enables TxDOT to invest $20M in COH Buffalo Bayou Bypass Canal Project, which is a post Harvey FEMA initiative to mitigate natural impacts.

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 or technology to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations. 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). 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. The project will also implement a total of 4 managed lanes to facilitate efficient movement of higher occupancy vehicle travel, and enhanced traffic operations.

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

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.

The project 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). 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.