Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Sugar Land
Project Title	Williams Trace Blvd Reconstruction
Facility/Street/Highway	Williams Trace Blvd
Limits	From Lexington Blvd to SH6
Description	Reconstruct 4 lane divided roadway including curb and gutter, left turn lanes, inlets and manholes; Construct a triple left from SB Quarry Hill to SB SH6
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$14,900,000.00

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 City of Sugar Land has seen high growth over the years, both as a municipality and as a pass-through for commuters travelling from other areas. The AADT is available for Williams Trace Blvd. for the following years: 2021: 26,675 2016: 30,183 2011: 34,980 2001: 30,060 Much of the area and surrounding neighborhoods are built out, so AADT has remained relatively steady over time. However, the nearby Lake Pointe area is soon to be redeveloped into a mixed-use regional activity center and likely to generate some additional traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods. Williams Trace connects Lake Pointe to SH6, which is a heavily travelled major thoroughfare through Sugar Land. The mixed-use redevelopment will include high to mid density housing options, a hotel, a conference center, retail, and restaurants among other amenities and attractions. There are existing medical offices and facilities, including St. Luke's Hospital also in Lake Pointe. All of these developments will increase traffic flow along Williams Trace.

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

Yes

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

Mobility Master Plan: https://mobility-master-plan-cosl.hub.arcgis.com/

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

The planned project for Williams Trace includes reconstruction of the roadway from Oyster Creek to SH6 (a 4-lane divided roadway) including curb and gutter, left turn lanes, inlets, and manholes. An additional left turn lane will create a triple left from southbound Quarry Hill to SH6, increasing left turn storage for increased volumes of southbound movement, minimizing backups on Williams Trace during peak travel times. The scope also includes added bicyclist and pedestrian capacity and access including a 10-foot-wide sidepath on one side of the street and enhanced crosswalks improving connectivity to local schools, businesses, and neighborhoods.

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 nearby Lake Pointe area is soon to be redeveloped into a mixed-use regional activity center and likely to generate some additional traffic in the surrounding neighborhoods. Williams Trace connects Lake Pointe to SH6, which is a heavily travelled major thoroughfare through Sugar Land. The mixed-use redevelopment will include high to mid density housing options, a hotel, a conference center, retail, and restaurants among other amenities and attractions. There are existing medical offices and facilities, including St. Luke's Hospital, also in Lake Pointe. All of these developments will increase traffic flow along Williams Trace.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

The redevelopment in the area will likely create additional traffic congestion along Williams Trace and surrounding streets. The addition of a third left turn lane onto southbound SH6 will create more storage for motor vehicles, which often extend beyond Quarry Hill Road during peak travel times and on the weekends. The pedestrian and bicyclist improvements will provide a transportation choice to people in the area lowering traffic volumes. The more people who bike or walk, the less automobile traffic along the corridor, especially during peak commute times like school drop-offs and pick-ups.

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

B

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

No

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

No

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

No

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

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

No

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.

The project includes roadway reconstruction (not widening) and a third left turn lane at SH6 for traffic heading south. This increased storage capacity at the intersection with SH6 will help mitigate some traffic congestion that occurs. The project does not directly improve regional goods movement, although local delivery trucks would likely appreciate the roadway reconstruction to remedy the cracked pavement and potholes and may utilize the route more if they were avoiding it due to the condition. The proposed project is not located on a critical freight corridor or a local/regional/state 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.

The project is anticipated to improve traffic operations due to the extra traffic storage with the addition of a third left turn lane onto southbound SH6 from Williams Trace. There are not any direct intersection improvements in the scope except for crosswalk enhancements for safety.

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 scope includes added bicyclist and pedestrian capacity and access including a 10-foot-wide sidepath on one side of the street and enhanced crosswalks improving connectivity to local schools, businesses, and neighborhoods.

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

As with the prior regional goods movement question, just as the reconstructed roadway will eliminate cracks and potholes for trucks traveling through the area, it will also improve the ride quality for transit vehicle passengers. The additional third left turn lane will help with traffic congestion at the SH6 intersection.

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 not directly reduce inoperability for significant periods due to infrastructure damaged by a collision with vehicles such as trucks, except that it is an alternative route for other streets. Collisions with ships or barges is not applicable.

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.

Williams Trace Blvd. was constructed over 40 years ago and is in need of rehabilitation. There are numerous mature trees along the roadway which have added to the disrepair of the roadway. The planned reconstruction of the segment from Oyster Creek to SH6 will lengthen the lifespan of the roadway. The proposed project will improve the state of good repair and extend the service life of Williams Trace Blvd.

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.

Zero. There have been no fatalities at the intersection.

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.

2.228

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.

This project includes the replacement of Williams Trace Blvd. along an approximately 1-mile stretch of roadway from Oyster Creek to SH6 (work type 303, CRF 30%) including curb and gutter, inlets, and manholes. An additional third left turn lane from southbound Quarry Hill Road to southbound SH6 will increase turn volumes for SB movement and minimize backups on Williams Trace. Pedestrian/bicyclist improvements include increased capacity and enhanced access with a 10-ft. wide sidepath along one side of the street (work type 407, CRF 65%), improved crosswalk markings (work type 403, CRF 10%), and connections to area schools, neighborhoods, and businesses.

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.

Low

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 reconstruction project will include drainage improvements such as inlets and manholes. Additional drainage performance will be evaluated for capacity, but it is not necessarily part of the scope unless a problem arises regarding drainage in this corridor.

Access/Connectivity

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

2,485

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7,587

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?

Yes

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

2,485

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7,587

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

798

1d. Disabled Persons

898

1e. Elderly Persons

1,313

1f. Limited English Proficiency

554

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.

20.1

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 improvements provided by the roadway reconstruction and additional left turn lane will be increased traffic flow and decreased traffic congestion. There will be less vehicles blocking neighborhood streets, such as Quarry Hill, due to the increased vehicle storage with the extra turn lane. The improved pavement condition will create less wear and tear on residents' vehicles. The improved pedestrian and bicyclist facilities will make it easier and safer for those who do not or cannot drive to get around.

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.

Adverse effects, such as noise and increased traffic congestion, will be temporary during construction. No prolonged effects are anticipated.

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 does not have any impact on flood plains, wetlands, or cultural resources as there are none in the area. The project enhances already existing infrastructure by reconstructing the roadway.

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

Innovation

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

No

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

No

Additional Documents