The need for EW4/Johnnie G Jennings Dr is due to several factors. The first factor is the demand for land that is
available within the industrial area of Chambers County. Chambers County
Improvement District 1(CCID1) to the South still has a large amount of potential,
however land surrounding CCID2 is disappearing quickly. An additional factor is that
these properties are somewhat landlocked without the construction of thoroughfare EW4.
FM 1405 and a nearby parallel railroad track lie to the West of the properties. The
proximity of FM1405 and the railroad would make a grade separation difficult and
expensive for the CCID. To the South is the NRG Canal. To the North is another canal
and CCID2 Ameriport railyard and other development. For the properties East of SH 99
are sand pits in excess of 25 FT deep that block access to FM 2354. The result is the
need to construct the previously approved thoroughfare EW4. It is estimated that 95% of
all industrial traffic is exporting materials to the port.
No
No
No
No
Other Investment Category Focused Criteria
TxDOT is already constructing the grade separation at SH 99 for the anticipated traffic volumes. There is a West segment that will be utilized to pull truck traffic off of FM 565 by providing direct access to SH 99 and an easier route to the port. This is the reason for the grade separated structure at 99. There is also an East leg that will tie from SH 99 to FM 2354. The County has agreed in place that push all sand pit operators to SH 99 which will remove this industrial traffic off FM 2354 and FM 3180 improving safety on those routes.
This route is in the heart of the industrial districts of the county. These areas along the route are currently under development. West of 99 will be all warehouses within next 5 years. To the East is currently sand pits and a new track purchased by HPP which will start filling the pit with recycled products and has agreed to donate ROW for the extension of the route all the way to FM 2354. The current East leg will be sand trucks and recycled trucks over next 5 years at which time it is anticipated the remaining area will become industrial warehouses. The key is that the route removes truck traffic from existing routes and moves it to SH 99 improving safety.
The proposed project will service mainly industry and provide connectivity for goods movement which will help reduce the number of truck on FM 2354. Although there is no planed bicycle or pedestrian infrastructure on this facility it does provide connectivity for industry and help reduce the number of truck traffic on FM 2354. This connector road provides direct access to HWY 99 and FM 1405 for the industry tracts along this corridor. By providing a more direct route for Industry FM 2354 will carry more residential and day to day traffic making this corridor more competitive in Bicycle and Pedestrian infrastructure grants. There is currently a proposed Green belt corridor along CCID 1 boundary that is north of our Proposed EW 4 tract that new infrastructure could potentially tie into.
Providing this connectivity route limits the number of trucks on FM 2354 which ultimately helps reduce competition between our school bus and truck traffic generally improving safety and congestion along the corridor.
Although this route seems like it may only benefit industry, it also provides as a additional route for residents to use if FM 2354 becomes closed during a collision. Residents traveling North could use EW 4 to reach HWY 99.
This is a new roadway. It will be constructed as a 9 inch continuous reinforced concrete truck route.
Planning Factors Criteria
zero
zero
It will be constructed to meet current design standards keeping accidents and injuries to a minimum.
Resiliency
Medium
High
The roadway and all development will be built to Atlas 14 standards. These standards will require detention ponds to ensure that the flow rate does not exceed current rates for the 100 year flood event.
Access/Connectivity
zero
zero
No
No
No
Environmental Justice
zero
zero
zero
zero
zero
zero
NA
The benefit would be due to pulling truck traffic away from other routes that this population uses like FM 565, FM 2354 and FM 3180. The project would push that truck traffic to SH 99 which is toll road not generally used by the vulnerable population.
The benefit would be due to pulling truck traffic away from other routes that this population uses like FM 565, FM 2354 and FM 3180. The project would push that truck traffic to SH 99 which is toll road not generally used by the vulnerable population.
Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources
A study will be performed to determine these sensitive areas. Although it is not believed that any of these areas exists along the route, the County will mitigate any findings.
713-627-3200
