Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Bunker Hill Village
Project Title	Memorial Drive Phase 2
Facility/Street/Highway	Memorial Drive Gessner Lane
Limits	Tallowood Road to Warrenton Drive Just north of Memorial Drive to Vanderpool Lane
Description	Reconstruction of Memorial Drive and a components of Gessner (reconstruct northbound travel lanes; construct 6-FT sidewalks on southbound side) to improve access management, multimodal safety, transit access, and drainage. Includes pedestrian and bicycle facilities.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$29,200,000.00

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.)

Memorial Drive and Gessner Road intersect in a growing economic hub of the region. Located between Beltway 8 and Interstate 610, the project area includes the Memorial City economic center in the Cities of Houston and Bunker Hill Village. Major mixed-used developments are recently completed, under construction, and in development. Within the project area, Memorial Green is a 75,000 square foot mixed-use development with a dozen restaurants and small businesses. Additionally, there are a projected 105 home sites within Memorial Green. Less than half of these home sites are developed – the remaining half of the development is under construction. It is projected that these homes will have hundreds of new residents and generate significant travel activity within the next few years. The Memorial Drive Phase 2 scope includes a new traffic signal at the Litchfield Drive intersection to accommodate the increased traffic to Memorial Green. Adjacent to the project area are two developments that will benefit from the Memorial Drive Phase 2 project. Memorial Town Square and City Centre are within a mile and two miles respectively from the project area. Named one of the Houston Chronicle’s top 20 game-changing developments, Memorial Town Square is a 27-acre, 190,000-square-foot mixed-use project that will include local and national boutiques, innovative restaurants and health and wellness services. This project is still in the pre-development phase, and has a decade-plus build-out projection. The section of Gessner Road, just north of the project area, provides ingress and egress to the development. This portion of the road has been upgraded, and can support the proposed development, but the Memorial Drive Phase 2 project area, immediately adjacent, lacks the same upgrades. The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project will update the adjacent road segment and allow for better travel conditions (capacity, safety, reliability, ped/bike/transit accommodations). The current road has exceeded its useful life with poor conditions, creating a traffic, drainage, connectivity, and access issue for the thousands of people that need access to Memorial Town Square. City Centre is a 2 million square foot mixed-use development with 340 apartments, a hotel, the headquarters of Marathon Oil, the Texas A&M Business School, and dozens of retail shops and restaurants. While City Centre already generates significant activity, the development is still growing. Two new office buildings are in development. City Centre Six was announced in 2020, and is already 65% leased, per the Houston Business Journal. Construction on this building is scheduled to start in 2024, with the first office tenants occupying the building in 2026. City Centre Seven was announced in 2022 and will be a six-story office building and include a new hotel. MetroNational, a major real estate development company, is nearing completion of a new office building approximately a mile from the project area. The 190,000 square foot, nine-story building will open to tenants within the next year. As of January 2024, the building is fully pre-leased. In 2000, the project area and its immediately adjacent Census block groups had 11,506 residents. Now, 25,326 people call the area home, which is an increase of 120% within twenty years. Yet, no changes to the Memorial Drive-Gessner Road intersection have occurred. The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project is needed to serve the current population and the people who live, will live, visit, and work in these developments. Supporting documentation illustrating the sizable development underway is included in the supplemental documentation section of the submission portal.

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

Yes

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

West Houston Regional Mobility Action Plan (https://thegoodmancorp-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/p/ewhitton/Ee_elhyxuHFMnTLUhYuDv8oBnv9O-13pniJ03XhsrvTyQQ?e=FvkfRr) , H-GAC 2045 RTP Update (https://engage.h-gac.com/2045RTPUpdate) , City of Houston Major Thoroughfare and Freeway Plan (https://www.houstontx.gov/planning/transportation/MTFP_24/MTFP_2023-Map.pdf)

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

The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project is split across two municipalities. Approximately a quarter of the project is within the City of Bunker Hill Village and the remaining portions are within the City of Houston. This multi-jurisdictional project will improve access, connectivity, and reliability to key economic centers in the region. The project’s scope is a complete road reconstruction with new sub-surface utilities, stormwater conveyance system, and a shared-use path accommodating pedestrians and bicyclists. Additionally, a minimum of a four-foot-wide safety buffer/clear zone between the travel lanes and the shared use paths increases safety and allows for the planting of trees. The specific elements included in the road reconstruction are broken into segments: Memorial Drive from Tallowood to Tealwood Drive (.4 miles) • Four travel lanes of 11-ft each • Convert center left turn lane to dedicated left-turn lanes at all median openings. The raised medians will be 3-ft to 18-ft along the entire corridor • An 8’ wide shared use path along both the north and south sides. Currently only a 4-5’ sidewalk exists mostly on the south side. This is a new multimodal transportation option, providing access to multiple places including Frostwood Elementary School. • Conversion to new concrete pavement (currently asphalt) • Install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Litchfield Dr and Memorial Dr to improve safety and access • Upgrade the traffic signal from span wire to mast arm at the intersection of Benignus Dr and Memorial Dr • Install pavement markings, crosswalks, and upgrade ADA ramps as needed along the entire corridor Memorial Drive from Tealwood Drive to Gessner Road (.1 mile) • Convert existing asphalt roadway to concrete roadway concrete curb and gutter roadway separated by 3-ft wide median • Construct new 6-ft to 8-ft wide sidewalks along north side of the roadway, and upgrade south side sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft. Memorial Drive from Gessner Road to just east of Plantation Drive (.1 mile) • Convert existing asphalt roadway to concrete roadway concrete curb and gutter roadway separated by 3-ft to 14-ft wide median • Upgrade existing sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft wide along both sides of the roadway Gessner Road from just north of Memorial Drive to Vanderpool Lane (.4 mile) • Reconstruct northbound lanes of Gessner Road • Construct new 6-ft wide sidewalks along southbound side The project scope includes a reconstruction of the Memorial Drive-Gessner Road intersection to support more controlled turning movements, safer pedestrian and bicyclist crossings, and improved traffic operations. The reconstructed intersection improves access to schools, hospitals, and IH-10. The intersection elements are incorporated into the information above. The proposed cross sections are included with this application as Supporting Documentation.

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 proposed Memorial Drive Phase 2 project creates multimodal transportation options to several of the major developments underway in West Houston. The improved stormwater system, shared use path, transit connections, and upgraded roadway will make it easier to access four major real estate projects in development. Memorial Green is a 75,000 square foot mixed-use development with a dozen restaurants and small businesses. Additionally, there are a projected 105 home sites within Memorial Green. Less than half of these home sites are developed – the remaining half of the development is under construction. It is projected that these homes will have hundreds of new residents within the next few years. Within a mile of the project area, the new Memorial Town Square mixed-use development is projected to have 190,000 square feet of new office space, retail businesses, hotels, and restaurants. The 27-acre development was announced in 2022 and is expected to be complete and open to the public within the next five years. This is an infill development, utilizing underused parking lots at the Memorial City Mall. City Centre is a 2 million square foot mixed-use development with 340 apartments, a hotel, the headquarters of Marathon Oil, the Texas A&M Business School, and dozens of retail shops and restaurants. While City Centre already generates significant activity, the development is still growing. Two new office buildings are in development. City Centre Six was announced in 2020, and is already 65% leased, per the Houston Business Journal. Construction of this building is scheduled to start in 2024, with the first office tenants occupying the building in 2026. City Centre Seven was announced in 2022 and will be a six-story office building and include a new hotel. MetroNational, a major real estate development company, is nearing completion of a new office building, approximately a mile from the project area. The 190,000 square foot, nine-story building will open to tenants within the next year. As of January 2024, the building is fully leased. The proposed project will add sidewalks and shared use paths for both pedestrians and bicyclists. Currently, none or limited multimodal facilities exist. Memorial Drive Phase 2 will construct these facilities, filling in a gap within the existing network.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

This project will upgrade traffic signals at Benignus and Memorial Drive and install a new signal at Litchfield Drive and Memorial Drive. Coupled with dedicated left turn lanes, these improvements will make traffic more efficient in the project area. The addition of multimodal infrastructure will create opportunities to utilize alternative modes such as biking, walking, and transit, which will contribute further to congestion reduction.

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

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

Yes

4a. If yes, explain.

Memorial Drive serves as a major east-west corridor in the West Houston region. Memorial Drive parallels Interstate Highway 10 (IH-10), starting in downtown Houston and extending all the way west to the Houston city limits at the US Army Corps of Engineers’ Barker Reservoir. In normal operating times (i.e. when there is not a declared emergency), Memorial Drive acts as an alternative travel route for anyone traveling east and west. When IH-10 experiences significant congestion or abnormal shutdowns due to crashes, vehicular traffic is often diverted onto Memorial Drive. Reconstructing the Memorial Drive-Gessner Road intersection is a critical element of the proposed project. Gessner Road – a vital north-south corridor in western Harris County – is an alternative to Beltway 8. Gessner Road carries one of METRO’s busiest routes and traverses through multiple communities, including Spring Branch, Memorial City, Bunker Hill Village, Westchase, and Alief.

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

5a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternative to an evacuation route?

Yes

5a-i. If yes, explain.

Model.HighGrowthAreaNeedsQuestionnaire.InvestmentCategory5ai

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

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

1a. If no, please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves regional goods movement. Within the narrative, please include if the proposed project is designated as a critical freight corridor or a local/regional/state truck route.

While the surrounding land uses of the Memorial Drive corridor lean towards residential or commercial, not industrial, significant through traffic moves through the project area. The main intersection within the project connects to IH-10, Westheimer Road, SH-6, and Beltway 8, serving Memorial Hermann’s Memorial City Hospital, Memorial City Mall, City Centre, etc. Two major malls with hundreds of retail businesses depend on Memorial Drive for delivery of consumer goods to stock the shelves within their stores and thus this corridor is essential for first-last mile connections. Anytime there is a slowdown or shutdown of IH-10, Memorial Drive and Gessner Road receive additional truck traffic. IH-10 is designated as a Critical Urban Freight Corridor, per the Federal Highway Administration. Memorial Drive is an alternative to IH-10, thereby alleviating congestion on the major freight corridor in the west Houston region. These two roads are classified as Major Thoroughfares within the City of Houston’s Major Thoroughfare and Freeways Plan, requiring them to have substantial right of way for supporting freight traffic. While approximately half of the project area is in Bunker Hill Village, The City of Houston plans still impact the roads. The City is creating a truck route plan to “the aim of effectively managing freight movement, enhancing roadway safety, and improving the quality of life in Houston by guiding commercial vehicles to travel on the designated truck routes.” The proposed project will enable Memorial Drive and Gessner Road to better support a designated truck route.

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.

Currently, more than 50% of the pavement within the project area has a poor rating. The proposed project upgrades the pavement conditions within the project area from mostly poor to excellent. A smoother pavement improves travel times and can lead to more efficient travel operations. An intersection redesign that supports safer, more controlled turning movements is a key feature of the Memorial Drive Phase 2 project. The intersection improvements are projected to enhance signal coordination at the Memorial-Gessner intersection. Additionally, the project will replace the existing traffic signal at Benignus Road with two fully coordinated traffic signals operating on a single controller at the intersections at both Litchfield and Benignus. The improvements will provide a safer left-turn for those coming out of Memorial Green and other neighborhoods south of Litchfield and will reduce delay for all movements. With all these improvements in place, it is expected that traffic operations will be more efficient within the project area.

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.

The proposed project creates new pedestrian and bicycling facilities along Memorial Drive and Gessner Road. Beyond closing a gap in the sidewalk and bicycling infrastructure, the new facilities are located adjacent to Frostwood Elementary School. This better serves parents, teachers, and students at the K-5 school. Notably, the proposed project complies with the Houston Bike Plan and will close an identified gap for an off-street bikeway. Specifically, the following are incorporated into the proposed project and will improve the pedestrian and bicyclist experience: Memorial Drive from Tallowood to Tealwood Drive (.4 miles) • An 8’ wide shared use path along both the north and south sides. This is a new multimodal transportation option, providing access to multiple places including Frostwood Elementary School. • Install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Litchfield Dr and Memorial Dr, which allows for safer pedestrian crossings. • Upgrade the traffic signal from span wire to mast arm at the intersection of Benignus Dr and Memorial Dr. • Install pavement markings, crosswalks, and upgrade ADA ramps as needed along the entire corridor Memorial Drive from Tealwood Drive to Gessner Road (.1 mile) • Construct new 6-ft to 8-ft wide sidewalks along north side of the roadway, and upgrade south side sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft. Memorial Drive from Gessner Road to just east of Plantation Drive (.1 mile) • Upgrade existing 4-ft to 5-ft sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft wide along both sides of the roadway Gessner Road from just north of Memorial Drive to Vanderpool Lane (.4 mile) • Construct new 6-ft wide sidewalks along southbound side A landscape buffer between the travel lanes and the new sidewalks/shared-use paths adds additional protection for pedestrians and bicyclists. The proposed cross sections are included as supporting documentation.

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

As of late 2023, multiple METRO routes traverse through the project area. Service enhancements for existing routes and planned routes are under development. Existing Routes and their Ridership characteristics: • 46 Gessner (METRO’s 3rd highest ridership route in October 2023 with 7,003 boardings a day) – Connects West Little York Park and Ride all the way south to the Harris County/Fort Bend County line. • 70: Northwest Transit Center to The Cannon co-working space • 161 Wilcrest Express – connects downtown Houston to the Memorial area and southwest Houston • 162 Memorial Express – connects downtown Houston to the Addicks Park and Ride The Memorial – Gessner intersection is a critical transfer point in the METRO local bus network, and the proposed improvements will make it safer and more efficient for a METRO bus to navigate through the intersection. The reconstructed roadway improvements pavement conditions will go from their existing condition as mostly poor to excellent, allowing for more reliable travel speeds, a reduced likelihood for potholes or other emergency roadway repairs (such as water leaks and flooding) that require temporary lane closures. METRO’s planned BOOST route along Gessner Road requires signal upgrades and enhanced stops. The proposed project aligns with METRO’s planned improvements, with each leveraging the other to create a better, more reliable, and safer transit experience for the 10,000+ riders currently using bus routes that traverse the Memorial Drive Phase 2 project area. Additionally, METRO plans a new transfer station less than a mile from the project area. This has the potential to increase bus service within west Houston. Better pavement and overall road conditions around the planned METRO transit center support more efficient transit operations. The road reconstruction and intersection improvements are critical for supporting two major developments in or adjacent to the project area. Within the project area, Memorial Green is a 75,000 square foot mixed-use development with a dozen restaurants and small businesses. Additionally, there are a projected 105 home sites within Memorial Green. Less than half of these home sites are developed – the remaining half of the development is under construction. It is projected that these homes will have hundreds of new residents and generate significant travel activity within the next few years. Memorial Green is served by Route 162, and near the transfer point to Routes 46, 70, and 161. The Memorial Town Square development, considered by the Houston Chronicle to be one of the region’s top 20 game-changing developments currently underway. The 27-acre 190,000 square foot mixed use development will support thousands of new jobs, mainly in the retail and service sectors. An upgraded Gessner and Memorial Drive leading to this megadevelopment supports reliable travel times, notably in a bus, for anyone who lives north, south, east, or west of Memorial City. This is especially notable for those who live north and south, with access to the existing 46 Gessner route and future BOOST service. Residents in under-resourced neighborhoods, such as Alief and Spring Branch, will have better traffic conditions to/from Memorial City, a major job center in the Houston 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.

Currently, Memorial Drive has the infrastructure conditions consistent with a rural road – poor pavement conditions, open drainage ditches, asphalt road surfaces, and limited or no pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations. A storm event, traffic crash, pothole, water leak, and other hazards associated with aging infrastructure can easily shut down the roads within the project area (Memorial Drive and Gessner Road). The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project will upgrade both Memorial Drive and Gessner Road, enhancing travel time reliability and creating a more viable alternative to IH-10 and Beltway 8. The proposed road reconstruction will upgrade all utilities – aging pipes, conversion of open ditches to box culverts, and replace an asphalt road surface with a concrete roadbed. The concrete roadbed reduces the likelihood for a pothole and has more durability to withstand weather or subsurface conditions that can lead to segments or lanes of a road being shutdown. With a new Memorial Drive, there is a reduced likelihood for the project area to experience times of inoperability. Once complete, the roads within the project area are expected to have 50 years before another road reconstruction is needed. Upgraded stormwater infrastructure with the installation of box culverts improves runoff and drainage within the project area. This reduces the likelihood of a road or lane closure due to ponding, flooding, or other high-water issues. Bunker Hill Village has experienced significant flooding over the last two decades and invested significant funds to improve their stormwater system. A reconstructed Memorial Drive with better stormwater infrastructure is a missing link. The proposed project will close the gap in the city’s stormwater upgrades and ensure that full access remains to the city’s main road (Memorial Drive) and collectors (within and adjacent to the proposed project area). Additionally, the conversion of asphalt to concrete reduces the likelihood that a portion of Memorial Drive will wash out. If this were to occur, the current Memorial Drive and Gessner Road would be closed in key spots or for significant amounts of time. A scenario such as this would choke off access at a critical junction in West Houston’s road network. Tens of thousands daily would lose their direct access to the major activity center – Memorial City- and 4 METRO routes would need to detour. This directly impacts the 46 Gessner route, METRO’s third highest ridership route (in October 2023).

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.

Memorial Drive was first constructed immediately after World War II. While spot repairs have occurred over the last 75 years, a full reconstruction has not happened. In the meantime, the population has increased significantly – numerous subdivisions, villages, and communities, such as Memorial City and the Energy Corridor have been constructed. The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project is needed to serve the current population and the people who live, will live, visit, and work in these places. Currently, Memorial Drive has the infrastructure conditions consistent with a rural road – poor pavement conditions, open drainage ditches, asphalt road surfaces, and limited or no pedestrian and bicyclist accommodations. The proposed road reconstruction will upgrade all utilities – aging pipes, conversion of open ditches to box culverts, and replace an asphalt road surface with a concrete roadbed. Once complete, the concrete road surface is expected to have a useful life of 50+ years. Additionally, the conversion of asphalt to concrete reduces the likelihood that a portion of Memorial Drive will wash out. If this were to occur, the current Memorial Drive and Gessner Road would be closed in key spots or for significant amounts of time. A scenario such as this would choke off access at a critical junction in West Houston’s road network. Tens of thousands daily would lose their direct access to the major activity center – Memorial City- and 4 METRO routes would need to detour. This directly impacts the 46 Gessner route, METRO’s third highest ridership route (in October 2023). The concrete road surface creates a smoother travel surface, reducing wear and tear on vehicles – from cars to buses. METRO’s existing bus surface will experience fewer interruptions during regular service as well, thanks to the new (and more resilient) road surface.

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.

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.

Over the 5-year period between 2018 and 2022, a total of 98 crashes occurred along the project corridor. There were no fatalities or serious injuries. The crashes include one pedestrian crash, which occurred at a driveway access point and was due to driver's inattention. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, a set of improvements has been proposed: Memorial Drive between Tallowood Road and Tealwood N Drive • Install 3-ft to 18-ft raised median along the entire corridor • Convert center left turn lane to dedicated left-turn lanes at all median openings • Upgrade existing sidewalk from 4 to 5 ft wide to 8 ft wide shared use path • Reconstruct the entire corridor from asphalt pavement to new concrete pavement • Install a new traffic signal at the intersection of Litchfield Dr and Memorial Dr • Upgrade the traffic signal from span wire to mast arm at the intersection of Benignus Dr and Memorial Dr • Install pavement markings, crosswalks, and upgrade ADA ramps as needed along the entire corridor Memorial Drive between Tealwood N Drive and Warrenton Drive; Gessner Road between Memorial Drive and Vanderpool Lane West Memorial Drive: • Convert from asphalt roadway with grate inlets and concrete curb and gutter roadway separated by 3-ft wide median • Construct new 6-ft to 8-ft wide sidewalks along north side of the roadway, and upgrade south side sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft East Memorial Drive: • Convert from asphalt roadway with grate inlets to a concrete curb and gutter separated by 3-ft to 14-ft median • Upgrade existing sidewalks to 6-ft to 8-ft wide along both sides of the roadway Gessner Road: • Reconstruct northbound lanes of Gessner Road • Construct new 6-ft wide sidewalks along southbound side The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: • Work Code 107, 111 Install Traffic Signal, Interconnect Signals with 22% crash reduction rate • Work Code 107, 519 Install Traffic Signal, Add Left Turn Lane with 43% crash reduction rate • Work Code 108, 111, 203 Improve Traffic Signals, Interconnect Signals, Install Raised Median with 27% crash reduction rate • Work Code 108, 203 Improve Traffic Signals, Install Raised Median with 51% crash reduction rate • Work Code 108, 401, 403 Improve Traffic Signals, Install Pavement Markings, Install Pedestrian Crosswalk with 30% crash reduction rate • Work Code 108, 519 Improve Traffic Signals, Add Left Turn Lane with 34% crash reduction rate • Work Code 203 Install Raised Median with 25% crash reduction rate • Work Code 203, 407 Install Raised Median, Install Sidewalks with 37% crash reduction rate • Work Code 303, 401 Resurfacing, Install Pavement Markings with 50% crash reduction rate • Work Code 303, 519 Resurfacing, Add Left Turn Lane with 36% crash reduction rate • Work Code 403, 407 Install Pedestrian Crosswalk, Install Sidewalks with 74% crash reduction rate

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.

The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project will convert an asphalt, open ditch road into an urban arterial with upgraded stormwater infrastructure along with pedestrian amenities. The Memorial Drive Phase 2 project is split into two segments – Memorial Drive from Tallowood to 425 feet east of Gessner Drive and Gessner Drive from Beauregard to Vanderpool. These two segments represent a gap in nearby infrastructure upgrades. Memorial Drive east and west of the project limits has undergone significant reconstruction recently. These segments feature box culverts, updated subsurface conditions, new concrete roadbed, wide sidewalks, and landscaping. The proposed storm sewer trunkline consists of two ten-foot by ten-foot reinforced box culverts (RCB) with two outfalls, one to the existing two ten-foot by ten-foot RCBs at Tallowood Road and one to the existing 72-inch reinforced concrete pipe (RCP) between Paul Revere Drive and Tealwood Drive, heading south. This storm sewer system functions both as a stand-alone system for this project and in concert with future regional improvements. It results in a reduction in the floodplain for the 2-, 10-, and 100-year events. All these improvements are designed to improve stormwater runoff in an area that historically has been prone to flooding. Since an April 2009 rain event flooded a majority of Bunker Hill Village, the town has invested $27.5 million to upgrade its storm sewer and water runoff. These sections of Memorial and Gessner Drives are the remaining piece of unimproved infrastructure and in need of upgrades to be consistent with the recently (or to be) completed utility projects. In H-GAC’s regional resilience tool, Gessner has a moderate rating for flooding vulnerability and low scores for storm surge and sea level rise, but this segment scores high in criticality – as a major north-south connector between IH-10, Westheimer Road, and the Westpark Tollway. It carries significant freight traffic along with several local METRO bus routes. The segment of Memorial Drive scores low in H-GAC’s vulnerability categories, and the improved drainage resulting from these Phase 2 improvements will reinforce the low flooding risk. Thanks to Memorial Drive’s importance as a east-west connector, particularly between Beltway 8 and Memorial City area, this segment received a moderate rating in criticality.

Access/Connectivity

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

1470

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

4082

12. 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?

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

1470

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

4082

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

597

1d. Disabled Persons

568

1e. Elderly Persons

901

1f. Limited English Proficiency

233

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.

7.9

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 Memorial Drive/Gessner Road intersection – a critical juncture of two major thoroughfares in West Houston – is the focal point for the Memorial Drive Phase 2 project. Memorial Drive and Gessner Road connect I-610 and SH-6, IH-10 to Westpark Tollway and beyond. Four METRO bus routes traverse through the project area – 46, 70, 161, 162. The 46 Gessner Route is consistently one of METRO’s highest ridership routes. The proposed road reconstruction adds significant multimodal upgrades, making it easier for everyone but especially those with less mobility. Widened or new sidewalks improve walkability, creating a safer more comfortable environment. This is especially important for the students at Frostwood Elementary, located in the project area (at the northeast corner of Memorial and Gessner). Eleven bus stops are also located in the project area. These improvements are first/last mile enhancements making it easier to access four of METRO’s fixed routes with regional connectivity to Memorial City Mall, Memorial Hermann Hospital, the Energy Corridor, Westchase, and Uptown. The Memorial Drive Phase Two project is the missing piece of a large project – the Memorial Drive reconstruction from downtown to SH-6 – a twenty-mile-long effort to improve the multimodal infrastructure in West Houston. The Phase 2 segment is slightly longer than a mile, leveraging the recent investments in Memorial Drive and making it easier to access existing destinations adjacent to the project area – Memorial Hermann hospital, Memorial City Mall, City Centre, Town and Country Mall, etc. – in addition to the proposed and under construction developments, notably Memorial Town Square.

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 new or widened sidewalks make it easier to access multiple METRO bus stops, walk side by side or more accessible to wheelchairs and strollers, and offer protection for pedestrians and cyclists. The project will improve access to four transit routes – 46, 70, 161, 162. Additionally, there is an elementary school within the project area – these improvements make it easier for children to walk and bike. There are no adverse effects to vulnerable populations and impacts resulting from Memorial Drive Phase 2: • Bodily impairment, infirmity, illness, or death: The proposed project incorporates several safety countermeasures – upgraded pavement, dedicated pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, and street trees. • Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: The proposed project adds street trees and improves stormwater drainage. Combined, these two elements will reduce air and water pollution. • Disruption or diminution of man-made or natural resources: No impacts to cultural or natural resources are expected. • Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: The proposed project includes multiple features, such as trees, new sidewalks, and medians that enhance the public realm. • Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: The project traverses both Memorial City and Bunker Hill Village. The two entities have an interlocal agreement demonstrating their shared commitment to improving this vital economic corridor. • Impact to public or private facilities and services: The proposed project improves access to transit, local employment hubs, and medical facilities. • Adverse impacts on employment: The proposed project will improve access to jobs in Memorial City and other areas of West Houston. • Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No right of way is needed, and no displacement of any individuals or entities will occur. • Increased traffic congestion, isolation, exclusion, or separation: The project improves travel time reliability, transit operations, and adds new multimodal facilities allowing for a better journey, no matter the mode of transportation. • Denial of, reduction in, significant delay in receipt of benefits of transportation program: This project is in H-GAC 2045 RTP and is alignment with federal, state and local goals.

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.

The project is adjacent to but does not cross the 500- or 100-year flood plain. This area is developed with residential, commercial, and educational uses. Because the project is an improvement of an existing roadway, it is not anticipated to adversely impact flooding. Coordination will be done with the appropriate flood control agencies as needed. The project does not cross any designated wetland areas. There are three wetland areas, most notably Buffalo Bayou, within ¼ mile of the project alignment. Project work is not anticipated to fill or dredge any wetlands and adverse impacts are not expected.

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

Over a 20-year planning horizon from 2026-2045, the project will reduce 0.22 metric tons of NOX and 0.41 metric tons VOC.

Innovation

1. Does the project propose to implement new infrastructure technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations?

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