Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	TxDOT Houston District
Project Title	SH 332 Grade Separation at FM 523
Facility/Street/Highway	SH 332
Limits	From N of FM 523 to S of FM 523
Description	Construct grade separation at FM 523.
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$24,710,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Define High Growth Area Need: Provide a narrative to explain how proposed project is needed to serve a high growth where project is located. (Please provide quantifiable data that demonstrates high growth in population, employment, commercial development or daily traffic.)

The project is located in a high growth area. The population is projected to grow by 301.8% and jobs are projected to increase by 98.9%. While land use changes have not yet been announced or modeled, additional residential land uses will be needed in the future to accommodate the projected growth. This segment of SH 332 will benefit from improved connectivity and improved level of service that will result from this improvement. The average daily volume of traffic on this segment in 2021 was 22,000 with 10.9 percent of that being truck traffic. By 2041 daily traffic volume is expected to increase by 40 percent. The amount of beach tourists driving to Surfside has only increased. The purpose of the project is to improve capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety of the project segment. 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 SH 332 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards.

2. Is the proposed project recommended in a statewide, regional, or local plans?

Yes

2a. If yes, please provide link to the plan.

https://www.h-gac.com/getmedia/28624d53-96f2-48aa-9c7a-766ebf5b3e0f/brazoria-county-thoroughfare-plan.pdf

3. Please provide proposed project description (detailed project scope).

This project will construct grade separation (Work Code 514) at FM 523 and intersection improvements below acting like frontage roads. Sidewalks/shared use paths could be included on this project.

3a. Does the project provide access to new planned land use development (residential or commercial), or connects existing discontinuous networks?

Yes

3a-i. If yes, explain.

The project is located in a high growth area. The population is projected to grow by 301.8% and jobs are projected to increase by 98.9%. No land use changes announced or modeled. There is a Buc-ee's at the SE corner of this intersection that could have its access improved with the project. This project will improve tourist traffic flow coming in and out of Surfside Beach. There are also a few industrial plants (chemical or LNG related) nearby that many workers drive to and generate truck traffic.

3b. Does the project expand existing networks to alleviate anticipated congestions?

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

This project will create a grade separation at FM 523. Creating a grade separation will allow for continuous flow of traffic. Further, it will reduce points of conflict, reducing congestion caused by those crashes.

3b-ii. What is the estimated Level of Service after the project is completed.

LOS A

4. Does the proposed project provide an alternative route to existing corridor (Road or commuter transit)?

Yes

4a. If yes, explain.

SH 288 and SH 36 runs parallel to this corridor just south of this project location, which could be used if those routes are shut down.

5. Is the proposed project located on a facility identified as a hurricane evacuation route in any regional or local plans?

Yes

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Was the project scored under Regional Goods Movement Category?

Yes

2. 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 segment of SH 332 will benefit from improved connectivity and improved level of service that will result from this improvement. The average daily volume of traffic on this segment in 2021 was 22,000 with 10.9 percent of that being truck traffic. By 2041 daily traffic volume is expected to increase by 40 percent. The purpose of the project is to improve capacity, connectivity, level of service, and safety of the project segment. 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 SH 332 up to TxDOT and FHWA safety standards.

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.

Intersection improvements will include pedestrian and cyclist infrastructure as appropriate, which may include crosswalks and signalization, among other improvements.

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

No existing or planned transit service is provided on this facility.

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.

Creating a grade separation will reduce points of conflict between vehicles, thus reducing the likelihood of periods of inoperability due to crashes.

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 Score: Good The pavement on this facility is mostly in Good condition, according to TxDOT and FHWA guidelines. In a grade separation project like this, the new roadway will be in Good condition, and the diversion of some traffic from one roadway to the new one will increase 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.

223.467

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 rates for this segment are per 100 million vehicle miles traveled. The fatality rate is 0, lower than the regional average (1.23), and the serious injury rate is 223.467, higher than the regional average (6.18). Creating a grade separation will reduce points of conflict between vehicles, improving the overall safety of the segment. Furthermore, allowing traffic to flow without stopping will reduce primary and secondary crashes caused by congestion. The consolidated crash reduction factor for this project is 80%, as a result of constructing grade separation (WC 514).

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.

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.Resiliency2

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.

All current projects are being designed to meet and/or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards.

Access/Connectivity

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

870

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

378

12. 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

870

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

378

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

296

1d. Disabled Persons

325

1e. Elderly Persons

125

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.

43.0

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 area surrounding the project segment has a higher low-income population (20.2%) as compared to the regional average of 13.5%. The area surrounding the project segment has a lower minority population (25.8%) as compared to the regional average of 65% minority. Because of its location in the regional network, the project will produce improvements in mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to schools, medical facilities, and social services for the regional population. This is only 1 of 2 ways to leave Surfside Beach and this is the only free route out of Surfside Beach as the bridge to Galveston Island is a toll bridge. The project will improve drainage to ATLAS-14 standards, which reduce flooding events and their impact on vulnerable populations. As a result of the improvement, vulnerable populations will have increased resilience and evacuation capacity in the event of hazards.

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 area surrounding the project segment has a higher low-income population (20.2%) as compared to the regional average of 13.5%. The area surrounding the project segment has a lower minority population (25.8%) as compared to the regional average of 65% minority. TxDOT’s Environmental Process is designed to ensure compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the Executive Order on Environmental Justice. Standard practice is to implement projects that provide user safety and operational efficiency while taking into account environmental quality and impacts to surrounding communities. In practice this means identifying and assessing potential project impacts, then proposing measures to avoid, minimize and/or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse effects to Environmental Justice Populations. For example, the project will improve drainage to ATLAS-14 standards, which will mitigate impacts from added capacity to vulnerable populations.

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.

This project is in conceptual development. If required, the appropriate Environmental Document, a Categorical Exclusion, will be conducted to identify potential impacts to the natural or human environment during the NEPA process.

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

0,0. H-GAC could model this to determine the amount of NOx and VOC's since Grade separations over existing intersections are CMAQ eligible.

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.

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)

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

Yes

2a. If yes, please explain.