Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of West Columbia, TX
Project Title	West Columbia Roadway State of Good Repair
Facility/Street/Highway	Various locally owned and maintained roads within the City limits, a supplemental list can be provided outside of this spreadsheet.
Limits	Various limits.
Description	Design and reconstruction of approximately 8.61 lane miles of roads within the City. The scope of work is limited to roadway reconstruction, pavement markings, hydromulch, and incidental reconstruction/replacement of driveways and drainage within existing rights-of-way.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$5,261,200.00

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 West Columbia is seeing an uptick in population growth since 2010. Socioeconomic data projects that jobs and households in Brazoria County will grow by 25% from 2020 to 2045. TxDOT is currently working on upgrades to SH 35 and SH 36 through the City to handle the expected growth throughout the County. The City has observed a steady increase in new utility accounts, reflecting new residential and commercial establishments. These new developments in and around the City signify an expanding economic vitality. Just northeast of the City, the Columbia Lakes subdivision, currently at 70% buildout, has consistently drawn new residents over the last five years. These families, with more on the way, will be using all the community facilities in the City, including the local streets. Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District is initiating an expansion of its high school to serve the growing student body. The school plans on tearing down 80% of its existing buildings to upgrade and expand its facilities which currently serve about 900 high school students. This remodel will add at least 25% more classroom space to accommodate the future population. The City's local streets have never been rebuilt and now many are in such a poor state of repair that they discourage further growth. They have not been reconstructed in many years, having instead been overlaid with asphalt over existing pavement or subgrade. Over time, this has led to many areas of recurring pavement failures and unnecessarily elevated road surfaces that have contributed to street or localized neighborhood flooding. The City has determined a significant portion, 26%, of its street network is in poor condition, having reached the end of its useful life. The projected 2.5% annual increase in traffic on the highways passing through will have spillover growth effects on the City streets. The City's and County's pavement maintenance is able to extend the useful lives of good condition streets, but is not enough to adequately improve those in poor condition. This project will reconstruct local roadways to support and sustain more commerce and residents. These efforts will help modernize the City's infrastructure on par with its neighbors and allow it to adequately serve the growing population. This project will help the City renew the life cycle of a majority of its street network to be able to handle the projected growth.

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

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

The proposed project is an outcome of the pavement assessment study undertaken by the City in 2022. The assessment is being utilized by the City to prioritize roadway rehabilitation efforts. The City is in the process of developing a transportation asset management plan to maintain a record of the reconstructed streets. The scope includes the design and construction of a total of 2.4 miles of two-lane residential streets. The following streets include segments identified for reconstruction: Austin Street, Blue Bird Court, Carver Street, CR (Old Bell Plant Road), Crawford Lane, Dyson Road, East Meadow Lane, East Texaco Avenue, Ellis Lane, Ellis Street, Irwin Road, Kirby Drive, Larkin Street, Mockingbird Lane, North 11th Street, North 15th Street, North Broad Street, North Ringold Street, Papendorf Lane, Prewitt Lane, Red Bird Court, Reverend Swinney Street, South Gray Avenue, Snow Drive, Starfield Lane, West Meadow Lane, Washington Street, and Woodbine Drive. Construction activities include constructing new roadway pavement, installing pavement markings, replacing roadside signs, and restoring roadside grass-lined ditch banks to the extent disturbed by construction activities. Additional work includes limited stormwater drainage features, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, ramps, streetlighting, and landscaping to improve multimodal access to nearby residences, schools, and retail establishments. These improvements are designed to enhance multimodal access, linking nearby residences to the neighborhood trip generators, thereby ensuring a comprehensive upgrade to the local infrastructure supporting vehicular and pedestrian traffic.

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 planned street reconstruction aims to enhance access to the local school, which is undergoing expansion to accommodate more students, and to eight new residential and 10 new commercial developments, as demonstrated by the new utility accounts. By reconstructing pavement that has been identified in poor condition, the project will connect streets in existing good conditions and sidewalks to the main thoroughfares to provide better citywide access.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

The project will reconstruct local streets identified as being in poor condition. The proposed new segments will alleviate congestion by connecting existing good condition roadways to the City's thoroughfares, thus providing viable alternative routes. Traffic flow, delays, and bottlenecks should improve as road users recognize the better conditions of the reconstructed local streets and decrease reliance on the main arterials.

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 street network, located adjacent to SH 35 and SH 36, can serve to mitigate congestion in peak AM and PM hours and as an alternative to these roadways. However, many of the segments linking the streets to the highway are in poor condition which precludes their wide use. This project is needed to improve the pavement conditions to make the street network a viable alternative to the highway for navigating in and around City.

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.

Several of the local streets to be reconstructed connect to the main thoroughfares and support truck traffic serving local businesses. While not on the designated truck routes, these streets provide truck access throughout the City and augment the adjacent freight corridors of SH 35 & SH 36. Reconstructing the streets will facilitate truck access to local businesses and serve as a catalyst for future commercial growth, as these routes are crucial for first-and-last mile freight and logistics delivery.

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.

Reconstruction of these roadways will improve traffic operations by addressing maintenance, reliability, and safety issues associated with the pavement conditions. A key public benefit of roadway reconstruction is the reduction of total vehicle operating and maintenance costs for all users on assessed road segments. This project, in reconstructing local streets currently in poor or worse condition, will improve traffic operations by optimizing ride quality and eliminating user costs associated with operating vehicles on rough or failing pavement. Additional planning considerations related to the state of repair of these roadways include travel time reliability and infrastructure safety. Poor condition streets require more frequent repairs and lane closures, thus increasing the public's travel time. Deteriorating streets are characterized by low skid values and hazardous pavement defects, which contribute to degraded safety conditions.

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.

This project will reconstruct existing sidewalks within the right-of-way and as a result will provide new pedestrian infrastructure within the City. Existing sidewalks along the City's poor condition roadways have also deteriorated beyond their useful lives. New sidewalks will help provide safe access from residences to churches and commercial areas near the intersection of SH 35 and SH 36. These sidewalks will also connect to existing sidewalks to help pedestrians and bicyclists gain safe access to the grocery stores, pharmacies, schools, and parks located along these highways.

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

Currently, the City's transit service is limited to a demand response system and a non-profit-run Meals on Wheels program. However, this project addresses the future growth conditions that may include a return of fixed route transit service. It will not only enhance the pavement conditions but also significantly improve the reliability and accessibility of the city's transportation network for all users. These improvements will facilitate easier access across the City, benefiting a wide range of users including those who rely on public transit and community services. This will ensure a more inclusive and efficient transportation system, catering to the needs of all residents and visitors.

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.

This project proposes reconstruction of a large part of the local street network in the City. Any incident that would render a street segment inoperable would be effectively mitigated by diverting traffic to alternate streets. The availability of reconstructed streets would provide the City multiple options for a detour on new pavement, as opposed to directing traffic onto a less suitable road. Traffic projections show an annual growth rate of 2-2.5% and 3-10% truck percentages. With current 7,000-17,000 ADT on the highways (700-1,700 trucks), the local and spillover traffic on City streets will require better pavement conditions to avoid road closures due to damage or accidents. Reconstructed local streets will also provide some relief to congestion on the main thoroughfares. As TxDOT is upgrading SH 36 through the City to provide greater capacity and level of service, likewise new local streets will provide dependable alternative routes through the City, connecting to SH 35 and other roads leading in or out of the City. These alternative routes will provide essential operations capability in and through the City in the event a portion of the primary thoroughfares is disabled.

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 underlying subgrade supporting the City's street network is over 50 years old and, in many areas, has deteriorated to the point where reconstruction is necessary to establish a new 50-year life cycle. The City recently obtained a pavement assessment survey that identified widespread critical pavement failures. Since the streets were originally constructed, asphalt overlays have been built up to create stormwater drainage and pavement stability issues. This project will remove all prior paving and subgrade and reestablish completely new roadways to new condition and reset the service life.

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.

66.35

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.

Between 2018 to 2022, a total of 36 crashes occurred on the project corridor, resulting in one severe crash which was a severe bike crash that occurred due to driver inattention. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, a set of proposed improvements has been proposed: • Constructing new roadway pavement • Install or improve pavement markings, crosswalks along all roadway segments • Replacing roadway signs, repairing sidewalk, and upgrading all ramps to ADA compliant ramps as needed along all roadway segments The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: •Work Code 101, 401 Install Warning/Guide Signs, Install Pavement Markings with 24% crash reduction rate •Work Code 303 Resurfacing with 30% crash reduction rate •Work Code 303, 401 Resurfacing, Install Pavement Markings with 50% crash reduction rate •Work Code 403 Install Pedestrian Crosswalk with 10% 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.

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.

This project's improvements will optimize the local street network's stormwater capacity. Removing existing layers of asphalt overlay and replacing them with new asphalt surfacing at the original elevation of the roadway will increase the capacity of the roadway to convey runoff to nearby drainage channels. Additionally, the reconstruction will include the necessary reshaping of ditches within the right-of-way, further improving conveyance along the roadways. The project includes additional strategic drainage improvements where existing facilities may be causing constrictions in flow. In all, by ensuring consistent stormwater handling along its streets, this project will reduce the risk of ponding or flooding in the City and its neighborhoods.

Access/Connectivity

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

3040

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

2821

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

3040

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

2821

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

328

1d. Disabled Persons

727

1e. Elderly Persons

401

1f. Limited English Proficiency

485

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.

22.4

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.

This project will replace poor condition local streets and existing sidewalks in the City that serve school-aged children. New pavement and sidewalks will enhance the safety of the children going to or coming from school. The new pavement on local streets will create safer and more efficient routes for all users, including vehicles, pedestrians (such as young students), and bicyclists. Street reconstruction that includes streetlighting and accessible pedestrian crossings enhances safety. These improvements contribute to a more inclusive, accessible, and safer urban environment, particularly for students and other vulnerable community members who rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation.

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.

This project has no adverse effects to vulnerable populations. 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 - Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: This project will not result in additional pollution. - Disruption or diminution of manmade or natural resources: This project will not affect manmade or natural resources. - Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: This project will improve aesthetic values through roadways and sidewalks in better condition. - Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: This project will increase economic vitality and cohesion of the community through improved access, connectivity, and safety. - Impact to public or private facilities and services: This project will have a positive impact to public and private facilities or services by improving access and connectivity. - Adverse impacts on employment: This project will create short-term jobs through construction and improve access and connectivity throughout the City, positively impacting employment. - Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No additional right of way is required and there will be no displacement. - Increased traffic congestion, exclusion or separation: The improvements will alleviate congestion and promote connectivity. Construction will be phased to avoid causing substantial delays. - 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. The project, if funded, will advance the receipt of benefits of the regional transportation program. A Preliminary NEPA assessment will be conducted for the project. The project is anticipated to meet the criteria for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) finding, given no expected adverse consequences.

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.

A small segment of the project on Mocking Bird Drive is in the 500-year flood plain, and there are portions of the 100-year flood plain within ¼ mile of the proposed project. There is some residential and commercial development in this area but many adjacent parcels are cleared, vacant, or undeveloped. The scope of work is limited to roadway reconstruction, including pedestrian safety elements and landscaping, and incidental reconstruction/replacement of driveways and drainage within existing rights-of-way, so it is not anticipated to adversely affect flooding. Coordination with the appropriate flood control agency will take place as needed. While there are designated wetlands within a quarter mile of the proposed project, the project alignment does not cross any wetlands; therefore, no adverse impacts are anticipated. The project is adjacent to two historic cemeteries and multiple historical markers. Because all work will take place within the existing right-of-way, these resources are not expected to be impacted, but review and concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office will likely be required. Much of the project is in areas where some degree of surface survey is recommended for archeological resources. Because all work will take place within the existing right-of-way, archeological resources are not expected to be impacted, but an archeological survey may be required.

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 0.09 metric tons of NOx and 0.12 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?