Transportation Project Questionnaire

Regional Goods Movement Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	US 290 Widening
Facility/Street/Highway	US 290
Limits	From SH 6 to Harris County Line
Description	Reconstruct and wide from 4 to 6 lanes. This project will widen the existing highway to the middle adding a third lane in each direction.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$133,790,000.00

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.

Low

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.

17.1

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

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

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?

1,300,000

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.

This project consists of reconstructing and widening US 290 in a high growth portion of Waller County from SH 6 to the Harris County Line from 4 to 6 lanes. This project will widen the existing highway to the middle adding a third lane in each direction. It is a part of the H-GAC 2023 Regional Goods Movement Study as well as the RTP 2045 (MPOID 17233), Waller County Transportation Plan, and H-GAC Prairie View Livable Center Study. In addition to the reconstruction and widening of US 290, the project will include improvements towards providing safety improvements, pedestrian and bike facilities, congestion relief, strengthening regional economic competitiveness, and added capacity. It is a part of the Critical Urban Freight Network; the project segment lies on the Texas Highway Freight Network. US 290 is also a part of the Texas hurricane evacuation route network. Colorado Valley Transit (Route Prairie View and City of Waller) provides services to Hempstead, Prairie View, and City of Waller along the US 290 corridor. In addition to widening and reconstruction, the project will include safety improvements, bike/ped facilities, drainage and flood control, and pavement and bridge rehabilitation. The purpose of the project is to reduce congestion on US 290 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 others adjacent proposed, has ITS being constructed on another project (CSJ 0114-11-090/MPOID 18522) but ITS could be built at the same time as this project is constructed. The Project connects to RCR Hempstead Rail Logistics Park (recently developed - no warehouses constructed yet) at NW corner of SH 6 and US 290. There will also be logistical centers/warehouses constructed at the Beacon Hill Blvd development between FM 362 and James R. Muse Parkway (1,300,000 sq ft on the 78 acre Hines lot alone). This project will improve traffic conditions for transit users in the surrounding area. For local populations, it will increase access and connectivity to school and colleges.

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 43,273 vehicles per day, of which trucks represent 17.1 percent. The estimated percent increase in volume from 2021 to 2041 is estimated to be 40 percent. Added capacity from the project should improve daily traffic operations (improving freight network fluidity).

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 proposed project will alleviate future congestion due to potential economic development, including expansion of warehouses. The project connects to RCR Hempstead Rail Logistics at NW corner of SH 6 and US 290. There will also be logistical centers/warehouses constructed at the Beacon Hill Blvd development between FM 362 and James R. Muse Parkway (up to 1,300,000 sq ft on the 78 acre Hines lot alone).

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, the capacity increase will also be balanced with improvements to the pedestrian and bicycle facilities in the corridor. Shared use paths will be constructed along frontage roads where they exist and 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).

Colorado Valley Transit (Route Prairie View and City of Waller) provide services to Hempstead, Prairie View, and City of Waller along the US 290 corridor. The roadway improvement for US 290 will improve operations (service reliability as well) for the transit services that use the link and connect to other parts of the region.

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 during vehicle collisions. The frontage roads are noncontiguous along US 290 but BS 290 nearby (runs parallel) could act as a bypass should US 290 become inoperable.

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.

Pavement conditions along the project route are rated Fair, and as well as a number of bridges. 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.

0.76

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.

2.16

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 total crash rate for all crash types over the past five years was 35.7 crashes per 100 million vehicle miles and the fatal crash rate was 0.76. The serious injury crash rate was 2.16. 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 raised center barrier will be constructed on this project which will improve safety and reduce head on collision accident possibilities.

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.

Medium

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.

This project is providing drainage improvements that meet or exceed ATLAS-14 standards (reduced flooding risk). A few detention ponds and other drainage improvements will be constructed with this project.

Access/Connectivity

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

6,587

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

9,951

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?

Yes

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

6,587

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

9,951

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

3,070

1d. Disabled Persons

897

1e. Elderly Persons

616

1f. Limited English Proficiency

424

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.

38.90

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.

The project provides improved access to jobs and educational opportunities (such as Prairie View A&M University and SH 6 that leads to Texas A&M University in College Station) in the region. This project should not impact adjacent property owners as the need for any additional right of way (ROW) will only be needed it will be for detention ponds.

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.

This project is providing drainage improvements that meet or exceed ATLAS-14 standards, reducing flooding risk. If sound walls (noise pollution) are found to be needed during the NEPA review process, they will be constructed as part of this project.

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 this project is widening to the center median, there should be little to no impact on the surrounding/adjacent properties whether they be culturally/naturally important. Any waterways that cross through this project will be protected during construction with Best Management Practices (BMP) to reduce sediment pollution runoff.

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.

ITS (new DMS boards and cameras) will be constructed on CSJ ID 0114-11-090 (MPOID 18522) during this project or right after it to avoid damaging the fiber optic lines in the ground. This type of work could easily be merged and constructed during this construction project. 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). 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. 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.

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). 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. While it might be part of CSJ 701 right now, this type of work could easily be done on these construction/reconstruction projects.