Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	Fort Bend County
Project Title	SH 99 Frontage Rd (20307)
Facility/Street/Highway	SH 99
Limits	SB Fry Rd to Westheimer Pkwy
Description	Construction of a two lane concrete curb and gutter frontage road.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$20,500,000.00

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 project is situated in the Census designated area - Cinco Ranch, characterized by predominantly residential neighborhoods alongside high school facilities and commercial activities. Population: In 2021, the population of this area grew by 4.61% to 18,399. This locale is seamlessly connected to high-growth areas including Katy, Fulshear and West Houston accommodating a total of 455,893 people in 2021. Growth prospects: Notably, the area anticipates around 12% job growth from 2018 to 2045 within 2 miles radius of the project, driven by a 2045 land use plan to expand the residential and commercial areas. Further, Fort Bend County anticipates 74% growth in population, 52% increase in jobs and 89% rise in households from 2018 to 2045. Daily traffic: The estimated AADT in 2022 was 80,196 on SH 99 mainlanes. The traffic is expected to grow by nearly 49% in southbound direction in 2045 as per H-GAC conformity year 2045 (Build conditions) Travel Demand Model.

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

Yes

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

https://h-gac.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=5f2a62060d074a5d8c3f00a40bb6b3b2

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

The proposed project includes approximately 1.3 miles long segment with 12-foot-wide 2-lane frontage roads in southbound direction. The project also includes 10-foot continuous shared use path. The right-turn lane of 15-foot-wide is proposed in southbound direction at intersections on SH 99 frontage roads at S Fry Rd. Additionally, sound wall on both sides of the SH 99 frontage roads are proposed as shown in schematic drawings. Project considers curb and gutter storm sewer for drainage system.

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 project would construct new frontage road. This will provide connectivity to discontinued exiting frontage roads in northbound and southbound directions.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

The new frontage road would provide added capacity to SH 99 mainlanes and would help in alleviating anticipated congestion. The project would also improvise the connectivity for local establishments and residences located on SH 99.

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

LOS B (HCM 7)

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

Yes

4a. If yes, explain.

The proposed project would provide alternative route to SH 99 mainlanes.

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

Yes

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.

SH 99 is a designated freight corridor under TxDOT Texas Highway Freight Network. So, the proposed project would provide added capacity to the corridor which will help alleviate congestion on SH 99. Also, the proposed project would improve the freight and shipping connectivity to local businesses and residences.

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.

Daily traffic: This section of SH 99 Road is heavily congested. In the 2022 report 100 Most Congested Roadways in Texas by the Texas Transportation Institute, the annual total delay per mile on the segment is 150,119 person hours and the project is ranked as the 79th most congested road. The daily volume of traffic (2022) on the segment is roughly 80,196, out of which 8 percent are trucks. By 2045 daily traffic volume on SH 99 mainlanes is expected to increase by around 49% in southbound direction. Travel time index for existing conditions (2022, COMPAT) is 1.62 on SH 99 mainlanes. Intersection improvements and connectivity: The new frontage road includes 15-foot-wide right turn lane and two 12-foot-wide lanes in each direction, which will reduce congestion on mainlanes caused by local traffic and provide new access with first-to-last mile connectivity along the SH 99 corridor. The added capacity will enhance regional connectivity for all modes. Objective: The purpose of the project is to improve the operation on SH 99 corridor, intersection configuration, frontage road connectivity, level of service, and safety of the project segment.

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 project will provide new ten-foot-wide continuous shared sidewalk in northbound direction. The sidewalk is 6 feet away from frontage road lanes, which improves safety for pedestrians and bicyclists. This provides another mode of transportation and safe accommodation for active transportation.

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

This project will fill the connectivity gaps of the frontage roads and provides continuity, thereby transit can be accommodated. It can help expand METRO bus routes 229 / 222 from I-10 and bus route 075 from Westpark Tollway. Alternately, it can establish a new route to connect areas around Grand Parkway and complete a loop. Also, Demand Response Service by the Fort Bend county would get benefits from improved traffic operations.

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 frontage roads serves as an alternate route to SH 99 mainlanes. Therefore, if mainlanes become inoperable due to damaged infrastructure caused by collision of vehicles with trucks, other traffic can be diverted to frontage roads.

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 proposed project is a new facility. The new frontage road will serve for next 30 years with state of good repair. The proposed facility will address the population growth in the area and surroundings. The project will provide relief route during the time of widening/maintenance of SH 99 mainlanes in the future.

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.

0 Crashes/100 Million VMT

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.

1.05 Crashes/100 Million VMT

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.

Design: The fatality crash rate for the corridor is 0, lower than the H-GAC regional average of 1.21, and the serious injury crash rate is 1.05, lower than the H-GAC regional average of 6.20. Work types: The Proposed improvements would provide following work types (work code, CRF): Install Pavement Markings (401, 20%) Install sidewalks (407, 65%) Add through lane (517, 28%) - New one-way frontage road Add right turn lane (521, 25%) The proposed improvements together would reduce potential crashes by 85% on SH 99 within project limits. Crash reduction impact: The construction of the new frontage roads will provide additional capacity to the roadway and reduce primary and secondary crashes caused by congestion. The proposed design brings the corridor up to latest highway safety standards.

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 proposed project would meet to the minimum federal standard. The proposed improvements include ditches between mainlanes and frontage roads, and curb and gutter storm sewer on the outer side of the frontage roads. The detention pond will be created in southbound direction beside Little Prong Creek, which could potentially elevate the flooding in the area.

Access/Connectivity

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

2762

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8255

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?

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

2762

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

8255

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

430

1d. Disabled Persons

489

1e. Elderly Persons

469

1f. Limited English Proficiency

706

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.

6.4

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.

Ped/bike facility: The proposed project includes new 10-foot wide sidewalk on the curb. This accommodates the active transportation mode. This will improve drainage for roadway and pedestrian. Safety improvements: The grade difference between sidewalk and the road makes pedestrians more visible, meaning higher safety. Transit stops: Additionally, wide shared use path could better accommodate a future transit stop.

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.

Noise pollution: The proposed improvements mainly focus on congestion mitigation and reduction of noise pollution by installing sound wall, hence lowering the adverse effect to nearest neighborhood. Displacement: The proposed project would not displace any person or property (chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.fortbendcountytx.gov/sites/default/files/2023-10/5.-Handout_ENG_Approved_SH99FR_ENG_Handout-_10_2_23.pdf). Congestion, air pollution, safety, travel time, economy: Reduced congestion will improve air quality by lowering the emissions, minimizing the congestion related crashes, and improving travel time which can benefit in lowering the delivery cost and bringing business. Mental health and community cohesion: Apart from that, congestion reduction can diminish the stress, fatigue, irritability and rage. Proposed shared use path in each direction improve community cohesion and quality of public realm. Aesthetic value: The proposed project would improve aesthetic value of the area by providing new sidewalks and new landscape.

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.

Natural resources: The proposed improvements include detention pond in southbound direction near Little Prong Creek as shown in schematic drawings. Total of approximately 8 acres of wetland area is located within a quarter mile buffer of the proposed project but the proposed project doesn't directly connected to wetland areas. Cultural resources: The project does not affect any cultural resources within a quarter mile buffer.

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

Not applicable (New alignment)

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?