Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Sugar Land
Project Title	Williams Trace Blvd Widening
Facility/Street/Highway	Williams Trace Blvd
Limits	From US59 to Oyster Creek
Description	Widen from 4 - 6 lanes; Improvements to intersection at 59 & William Trace - Potential Triple Left; Intersection Improvements to Parkway Blvd & Williams Trace, Roadway Improvements to SB Williams Trace- potentially adding an additional right turn lane
Timeframe	Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost	$22,400,000.00

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: 25,729 2016: 30,802 2011: 34,760 2006: 34,130 2001: 29,670 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 widening the roadway from 4 to 6 lanes from US 59 to Oyster Creek, improvements to intersection at US 59 & Williams Trace with potential triple left turn lanes, intersection improvements at Parkway Blvd. & Williams Trace, and roadway improvements to southbound Williams Trace with a potential additional right turn lane for better access to area businesses. Pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure improvements include sidewalk rehab, crosswalk enhancements, and added pedestrian and bicycle capacity and enhanced access including a 10-foot-wide sidepath on one side of the street and connectivity north of the intersection along Sugar Lakes to Creekbend Drive. An enhanced crossing area under US 59 along the southbound lane extending the raised, curbed area into the unused traffic lane to create a separated corridor for bicyclists to connect the northern and southern sidepaths is also included, along with lighting under the bridge.

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 widening of the roadway segment, intersection improvements, and possible extra turn lanes will improve traffic flow in and out of the immediate area, which often gets congested during peak travel times and on weekends.

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 widening, intersection improvements, and possible extra turn lanes. These improvements will help mitigate some of the traffic congestion that currently occurs, as well as the anticipated increases after the Lake Point redevelopment. The project does improve regional goods movement for local delivery trucks with the extra lanes in each direction and other enhancements. 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 additional through lane in both directions, intersection improvements, and additional turn lanes.

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 improves walking and biking conditions with pedestrian and bicyclist infrastructure improvements including sidewalk rehab, crosswalk enhancements, and added pedestrian and bicycle capacity and enhanced access including a 10-foot-wide sidepath on one side of the street and connectivity north of the intersection along Sugar Lakes to Creekbend Drive. An enhanced crossing area under US 59 along the southbound lane extending the raised, curbed area into the unused traffic lane to create a separated corridor for bicyclists to connect the northern and southern sidepaths is also included, along with lighting under the bridge.

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

The project is anticipated to improve traffic operations due to the additional through lane in both directions, intersection improvements, and additional turn lanes. These improvements will benefit transit users as well.

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 suck 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. The planned widening of the segment from US 59 to Oyster Creek 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.

3.802

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 planned project for Williams Trace includes widening the roadway from 4 to 6 lanes (work type 517, CRF 28%) from US 59 to Oyster Creek, improvements to intersection at US 59 & Williams Trace with potential triple left turn lanes (work type 519, CRF 25%), intersection improvements at Parkway Blvd. & Williams Trace, and roadway improvements to southbound Williams Trace with a potential additional right turn lane (work type 521, CRF 25%) for better safety and access to area businesses. Pedestrian/bicyclist 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 a connection north of US 59 along Sugar Lakes to Creekbend Drive and the soon to be redeveloped Lake Pointe Activity Center. These enhancements will increase safety for those walking, bicycling, or rolling in the area by creating spaces for travel off the roadway and with improved crosswalks for increased safety and visibility while crossing streets.

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 widening project, intersection improvements, and additional turn lanes may require additional drainage improvements.

Access/Connectivity

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

1,571

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

3,902

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

1,571

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

3,902

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

765

1d. Disabled Persons

562

1e. Elderly Persons

1,036

1f. Limited English Proficiency

338

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.

26.2

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 will increase traffic flow, decrease traffic congestion, and make intersections and turns safer for everyone utilizing Williams Trace. 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 roadway facilities.

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