Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	Fort Bend County
Project Title	FM 762 BNSF Rail Underpass
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 2759 & FM 762
Limits	FM 762 at BNSF Railroad/FM 2759 Intersection
Description	Construction of underpass beneath BNSF Railroad at FM 762
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$50,000,000.00

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.)

Population: The project is located at the intersection of FM 762 and FM 2759, in the city of Rosenberg and near the city of Richmond. The project will serve a total population of approximately 143,619 of block groups within 5 miles radius. Growth prospects: The area within 2 miles radius of the project, anticipates a growth of 112% in population and about 105% in jobs. 2045 land use plan expects to extend the commercial area by about 12%, the residential area by around 25% and the multiple use area by more than 755%. 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 AADT in 2022 was recorded as average 86,166 on the corridor which is expected to grow by 90% according to H-GAC conformity year 2045 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 would construct a new grade separation (underpass) at the BNSF Railroad and Thompsons Road near the intersection of FM 762 and FM 2759/Thompsons Road. The grade separation would eliminate signalized intersection with Thompsons Road. The proposed project would be provide 4-lane divided road segment with raised median, 12-foot-wide inside travel lane, 15-foot-wide outside shared lane and 5-foot-wide barrier separated sidewalk in each direction. The proposed project would be typically 120 feet wide on FM 2759 and 80 feet wide on FM 762. On FM 762, approximately 110 feet of additional ROW would be required. ROW acquisition would usually be on east side.

3a. Does the project provide access to new planned land use development (residential or commercial), or connects existing discontinuous networks?

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

During the time of rail crossing, road blockage occurs which stops the flow directly in north-south directions. After the improvements, the roads will be connected without any rail or intersection interruption.

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

LOS D

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

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.

The proposed project is located on the designated freight corridor under TxDOT Texas Highway Freight Network. By providing grade separation, the traffic operations will be eased and help the regional goods movement to become more efficient. Also, rail movement wouldn't be interrupted as well which also improves regional goods movement.

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: The current estimated daily volume of traffic on the segment is around 18,652 near intersection at FM 762 and FM 2759, in which 3.6 % are trucks. By 2045 daily traffic volume is expected to increase by around 123 percent. The planned land use and projected population growth in 2045 would result in congestion. The average travel time index for existing conditions (2022, COMPAT) is 1.07. Grade separation: The proposed project would provide grade separation at existing at-grade rail road crossing and at the intersection of FM 762 and FM 2759. The signalized intersection at FM 2759 will be eliminated by underpass. This will reduce the congestion by removing the road blockage caused by at-grade railroad crossing and intersection. Objective: The purpose of the project is to improve operation on the corridor and to enhance the mobility, connectivity, level of service, and safety of the users.

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 would provide new 5-foot-wide sidewalk in each direction along the underpass to provide connections with crosswalks. This will improve safety of side walk users from railroad crossing.

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

The Fort Bend County Demand Response Service can be benefited from the proposed project for future rides on the corridor by improved travel time and safety. Also, Park and Ride service is located in Rosenberg close to the corridor.

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 would provide 4-lane divided underpass. During the event of inoperability the traffic can be shifted to use other unblocked lanes as the corridor is the only connectivity in the north-south direction.

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 would construct underpass at existing at-grade railroad crossing. The new facility will serve the system for next 50 years.

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.

11.81 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.

Crash rates: 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 11.81, higher than the H-GAC regional average 6.20. Work Types: The Proposed improvements would provide following work types (work code, CRF): Install raised median (203, 25%) Install Pavement Markings (401, 20%) Install sidewalks (407, 65%) Grade separation (514, 80%) The proposed improvements together would reduce potential crashes by 97%. Crash reduction impact: The construction of a new grade separation will provide smooth traffic operations without interruption by rail crossing. This will reduce the crashes caused by heavy congestion.

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 is out of FEMA floodplain and FEMA observed Harvey flood areas. The proposed project would provide storm sewer system with pump station and would meet the minimum federal standard. This will pump the storm water to ditches alongside the road.

Access/Connectivity

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

759

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

9209

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

759

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

9209

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

504

1d. Disabled Persons

818

1e. Elderly Persons

1018

1f. Limited English Proficiency

925

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.

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 6-foot-wide sidewalks in each direction which will provide safety for active transportation users from railroad crossing and vehicles. Safety improvements: The grade separation will enhance the safety for road users and wouldn't cause trouble to vulnerable population caused by crashes. Connectivity: Because of its location in the road network, the project will produce improvements in mobility and connectivity for vulnerable populations as well as connectivity to medical facilities and social services for the regional population.

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.

Congestion and safety: The proposed improvements mainly focus on congestion mitigation, safety improvements and mobility enhancement, hence lowering the adverse effect to nearest neighborhood. Air pollution, travel time, economy: Reduced congestion will improve air quality by lowering the emissions, minimize the congestion related crashes, and improved travel time can benefit in lowering the delivery cost and bringing business. Mental health and community cohesion: The grade separation with providing sidewalks would improve connection for community cohesion. Apart from that, congestion reduction can diminish the stress, fatigue, irritability and rage. Aesthetic value: The new facility with improved landscape will enhance the aesthetic value of the surrounding areas.

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: A total of 6.3 acres of wetland areas are present within a quarter mile buffer. The proposed project does not directly impact wetland areas. Cultural resources: There is no historical sites located within a quarter mile buffer of a project.

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

NOx - 5.27 tons, VOC - 28.72 tons

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?