Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Conroe
Project Title	Airport Road Widening
Facility/Street/Highway	Airport Road
Limits	FM 1314 / Porter Rd to FM 3083
Description	Widen existing two-lane road (no sidewalks) to four lane with sidewalks. Scope includes stormwater, water, and wastewater.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$22,000,000.00

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.)

Conroe has undergone substantial growth, with its population increasing from 56,207 in 2010 to over 100,000 by January 2024. A 2022 SmartAsset study ranked Conroe sixth among nearly 500 U.S. cities for economic and population growth, considering factors like population, GDP growth, business growth, housing units, and unemployment/household income. The Conroe, Montgomery, and Willis areas have seen substantial multifamily housing growth, due to the proximity to I-45, and an increasing number of job opportunities. November 2023 data from MRI ApartmentData, a software company offering insights on multifamily housing, shows the number of multifamily units under construction in the Conroe, Montgomery and Willis areas has increased from around 1,000 in 2021 to approximately 4,000 new units planned or currently being built in 2023. Furthermore, during 2023 alone 23 different commercial developments opened around Airport Road, totaling over 112,000 sqft of development. Additionally, Signorelli Co. is developing a 256-acre single-family community named Cielo, featuring over 850 homes. The development, north of the project corridor along Airport Road, includes the expansion of Airport Road and the addition of a new Conroe ISD elementary school (Bartlett Elementary). Conroe, particularly the project area, is poised for business and industrial growth. Park 336, a business park near Loop 336 and Airport Road, is expected to offer nearly 200,000 square feet of space, with approximately 40,000 square feet under construction as of March 2023. The corridor functions as an essential north-south connection for Conroe, with the average annual daily traffic (AADT) for 2020 at 3,280. This daily traffic flow is projected to rise to 4,592 by 2040 as per the TxDOT Statewide Map. Enhancements to Airport Road's capacity aim to alleviate future congestion amid anticipated economic development, providing access to new residential developments in this rapidly growing area of Conroe.

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

Yes

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

City of Conroe Comprehensive Plan - https://www.cityofconroe.org/home/showpublisheddocument/26900/637695452189130000 and Montgomery County Thoroughfare Plan - 2016-montgomery-county-thoroughfare-plan.pdf (h-gac.com)

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

The project will reconstruct the Airport Road corridor from N Porter Road to N FM 3083 Rd E with four travel lanes, add a turn-lane (between Venetian Pines Dr. and E Dallas St.), and improve pedestrian amenities. This project will improve sidewalks, lighting, curb ramps, and crosswalks. It will replace the open ditches with a new covered drainage system to prevent non-point source pollution from open drainage systems.

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.

Airport Road is a key connector for the City of Conroe, as it provides access to a large Home Depot distribution center, two business parks, and the Conroe-North Houston Regional Airport. The Home Depot Regional Distribution Center, located adjacent to the corridor, is 600,000 square feet and was opened in 2021. Located north of the project corridor, along Airport Road, the Signorelli Co. is developing a 256-acre single family community with more than 850 homes, called Cielo. The widening of Airport Road will improve access to the new development, which also includes a new Conroe ISD elementary school (Bartlett Elementary). In addition to future residential development, Conroe and the surrounding project area specifically are ripe for business and industrial growth. Park 336, a business park with office and warehouse space, located near the intersection of Loop 336 and Airport Road, is expected to accommodate nearly 200,000 square ft of space to open in summer 2023. As of March 2023, permitting data shows about 40,000 square feet under construction. Furthermore, during 2023 alone, 23 different commercial developments opened around Airport Road, totaling over 112,000 sqft of development.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

Vehicular traffic along the corridor is projected to rise over the next 20 years. The Project will modernize intersections, widen the road and add additional turn and travel lanes. The additional two travel lanes (turning Airport into a four lane road) will upgrade capacity and increase level of service, allowing Airport Road to mitigate forecasted congestion due to surrounding population and employment growth. This improvement will reduce the travel time over the No-Build Scenario. Furthermore, adding sidewalks complete with ADA-compliant ramps and crossings will induce additional pedestrian activity around the corridor. The addition of sidewalks will allow for the conversion of vehicular trips to non-motorized modes, which will reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and further reduce congestion.

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.

The proposed project provides an alternative route to an existing corridor, specifically addressing north-south connectivity within the City of Conroe. I-45 serves as the most significant north-south route through the City. There are several other roadways on the east side of Conroe that also provide access and connectivity to the northeast portion of Conroe, including SH75, Beach Airport Road (FM3083) and Loop 336. Airport Road severs as an alternative route to all of these roadways. By providing an alternative route, the proposed project contributes to the diversification and optimization of the city's transportation network. This diversification offers commuters and residents the flexibility to choose different routes based on their destinations, reducing congestion and improving the efficiency of the transportation system.

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?

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.

The scope of the project is to widen Airport Road from two lanes to four lanes. The project will also upgrade the two intersections of Airport Road with Loop 336 and FM 3083. The Loop 336 intersection improvements will include replacement of the current signal (span wire) with mast arms, lane widening including adding a turn lane, and adding median refuge islands. The FM 3083 intersection improvements will include relocation of signal poles, lane widening to include a new right-turn lane and adding median refuge islands. These intersection improvements will improve traffic operations at both intersections, per the traffic modeling done in Synchro. The Airport Road/Loop 336 intersection is projected to be at a level of service (LOS) E in the PM for 2045 in the no-build condition. With the intersection improvements it is projected to be at a LOS D in 2045. The intersection of Airport Road and FM 3083 is projected to be at a LOS D in PM 2045 no-build condition; the proposed reconstruction (build condition) will improve the traffic operations at this intersection to a LOS C.

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 reconstruction of the roadway will widen the roadway and add pedestrian faculties on both sides of the corridor, in the form of five foot wide sidewalks, ADA compliant ramps and crosswalk markings. The pedestrian facilities will provide access to the residential land uses along the corridor to connect to Anderson Elementary School, a daycare, commercial land uses and churches which are all along the project corridor. Existing conditions for Airport include 80'-110' of right of way, with no sidewalks or paved shoulders on either side, allowing only dangerous bicycle and pedestrian access.

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

Airport Road is not directly served by Conroe Connection, which is the local system in the City of Conroe. However, the majority of the corridor is located within a 3/4-mile radius of the fixed-route bus system. Thus, it is within walking distance for those who wish to access the public transit. Furthermore, this 3/4-mile radius is within the service area for ADA paratransit services, which serves individuals with disabilities who are unable to used the fixed-route service. The project improvements will result in a wider road with pedestrian facilities, which will improve traffic conditions and first/last mile connections for those using paratransit. Therefore, the Airport Road project will improve conditions for those who use transit.

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 proposed project to reconstruct Airport Road will upgrade its capacity through adding two travel lanes. The widened roadway will provide an additional travel lane in each direction in the event of inoperability of one or more lanes that could result from infrastructure damage due to collisions with vehicles such as trucks. Functioning as a vital connector in Conroe, this project not only enhances the current state of Airport Road but significantly augments its capacity, positioning it as a more viable alternative in times of closures on other roads. Airport Road plays a pivotal role in providing connectivity between Loop 336 and SH105. In the event of a traffic incident on SH75 or FM3083, the reconstructed Airport Road, with its expanded capacity, can provide alternative access and ensures uninterrupted accessibility to key roadways in Conroe. This reconstruction is not just about maintaining existing connectivity but in fact bolsters the road's capacity to serve as a more resilient and efficient alternative. By reconstructing Airport Road and adding two travel lanes, the project ensures that this route becomes a more viable and attractive option, especially in scenarios where closures on other roads necessitate alternative routes. This increased capacity not only enhances the road's role as a connector but elevates its significance as a reliable and efficient alternative in times of disruptions.

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.

The corridor's pavement condition is overall fair; however, the reconstruction of the roadway will improve the state of good repair. Some sections of the roadway have developed cracks and have faded pavement markings. There is some pavement damage as well, particularly between Loop 336 and FM3083. The corridor is currently lacking paved shoulders and does not have any curbs or multimodal facilities. Guardrails are installed on the roadway for safety due to the steep slope. The reconstruction would provide improved pavement, multimodal facilities and drainage, thus extending the service life of the roadway.

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.

47.92

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.

From 2018 to 2022, there were a total of 47 crashes that occurred on Airport Road from North Porter Road to FM 3083, resulting in four severe crashes. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, total reconstruction of this corridor has been proposed with the following improvements: • Widen the road from two lanes to four lanes • Add 5' sidewalk with 4' buffer zone, ADA-compliant ramps and crosswalk markings on both sides of the project corridor • At intersections of Airport Road with Loop 336 and FM 3083, both span wire signals will be upgraded to mast arms. • Lane widening (including the added turn lane), and adding median refuge islands are also proposed to both intersections • Drainage improvements The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: •Work Code 407 Install Sidewalks with 65% crash reduction •Work Code 108 Improve Traffic Signals with 33% crash reduction •Work Code 517 Add Through Lane with 28% 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 existing roadway has open ditches along both sides of the roadway. After rain events, the drainage ditches retain standing water and become filled with debris and litter. As part of the reconstruction and widening, drainage will be improved along the roadway through the installation of a closed drainage system. The scope includes adding 24-inch reinforced concrete pipes for stormwater and 4' by 4' stormwater inlets; junction boxes and extending 4' by 5' box culverts.

Access/Connectivity

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

5788

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

6049

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?

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

5788

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

6049

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

1788

1d. Disabled Persons

821

1e. Elderly Persons

425

1f. Limited English Proficiency

739

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.

48.7

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 will add a five foot sidewalk along both sides of the roadway, along with ADA improvements and crosswalks. These facilities will benefit pedestrians, who currently have no safe facility along Airport Road to walk. The sidewalk improvements will also facilitate access to transit, as the majority of the corridor is within the ADA paratransit service area for the fixed route Conroe Connection system.

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.

A preliminary environmental assessment was conducted for the project in 2022. At that time, no impacts were identified as they relate to air, water or other areas of concern. The list of adverse effects from the detailed criteria and comments are listed below: Body impairment, infirmity, illness, or death: This project will improve safety for all users, particularly multimodal users. Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: This project will require a conformity analysis or Air Quality Statement if receiving federal or state funding; agency coordination will be required regarding noise due to the increased capacity. There are not anticipated to be any adverse impacts to soil requiring mitigation. Disruption or diminution of manmade or natural resources: This project will not affect natural resources. Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: This project will not reduce aesthetic values. Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: This project will increase economic vitality and cohesion of the community through improved access for automobiles and pedestrians. Impact to public or private facilities and services: This project will not impact facilities or services negatively; it will provide additional access to the Home Depot distribution center, regional airport, and the school along the corridor. Adverse impacts on employment: This project will create short-term jobs through construction. The improvements will provide access to businesses and other uses along the corridor, which will encourage economic growth. Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No right of way is required and there will be no displacement. Increased traffic congestion, exclusion or separation: The roadway will increase capacity and not worsen congestion. Detail or, reduction in, significant delay in receipt of benefits of transportation program: This project is in alignment with local, regional, state and federal 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.

While the project is within ¼ mile of the 100-year flood plain around Stewarts Creek, the actual alignment is not within the flood zone and work will not take place there. The proposed project is not anticipated to adversely impact flooding. There are several designated wetlands, including two creeks, within a ¼ mile of the project area; one Palustrine wetland is adjacent to the project alignment. Project work is not anticipated to impact the bayou or fill or dredge any wetland areas; adverse impacts are not expected. There are no historic resources within ¼ mile of the proposed project. The northern portion of the alignment is in an area designated as “Surface Survey Recommended, No Deep Reconnaissance Recommended.” Much of this area adjacent to Airport Road has been disturbed by commercial/industrial development and religious facilities. An archeological survey will be conducted as needed.

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 0.32 metric tons of NOx and 0.41 metric tons of VOCs.

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?