Transportation Project Questionnaire

High Growth Area Needs Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	METRO
Project Title	Northline TC
Facility/Street/Highway	Fulton St.
Limits	@ Julia St.
Description	Construct new multi-level TC on new location to replace existing Northline TC
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$42,000,000.00

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.)

The new Northline Transit Center (NLTC) is located across the street from the existing NLTC on leased property and adjacent to the METRORail Red Line terminal Northline/HCC station. This location is a critical hub for transit connections. The NLTC will connect up to seven local bus routes and the METRORail Red Line, as well as area drivers via structured parking. The proposed facility will have space for METRO Police, customer service, and potential retail space, creating a multi-modal center facilitating mixed-use development and economic reinvestment. In 2020, the population for the west side of Houston where Northline is located was 6,249. In 2045, it is anticipated that population would increase to 7,973, roughly a 28% increase.

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

Yes

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

The NLTC is in the 2045 Regional Transportation Plan (MPOID #15549) and 2023-25 Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP).

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

The Northline Transit Center and Garage (NLTC) project will replace the existing Northline Transit Center that is currently on leased property. The new facility will have seven bus bays and up to 500 parking spaces of structured parking. The new transit center will add more transit capacity, improving transit access and connectivity. Additionally, it will include enclosed space for METRO services and potential retail activities. The project will improve customer safety and experience as well as be an asset to the community by providing retail space and security enhancements.

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 NLTC is location and the METRORail Red Line terminal station and will be a multi-modal hub for the community. It is also adjacent to the recently renovated Northline Commons retail center, the Houston Community College (HCC) Northline campus, and the new North Houston Early College High School. ii. METRO is also enhancing the 56 Airline/Montrose route, which stops at the NLTC, into a Bus Operations Optimized Service Treatments (BOOST) route. BOOST routes will have higher frequency and upgraded amenities, such as next bus information, branded shelters and signage, and transit-friendly signal timing.

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

Yes

3b-i. If yes, explain.

The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to skip the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area.

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

As a transit center project, the new NLTC will not have a significant impact on roadway Level-of-Service (LOS) beyond the immediate vicinity of the facility. A new traffic signal is proposed at the bus bay entrance on Fulton Street. This entrance also lines up with the entrance to the Houston Community College Northline Campus. The Traffic Impact Analysis conducted during the Categorical Exclusion found that the opening year (2025) LOS on Fulton Street at this new signal will decrease from an A to a C, with the largest impact being the new bus movements at the new signal. The 2040 LOS at the bus bay/HCC entrance is expected become an E due to natural traffic growth. The 2025 LOS along Fulton Street from Deerfield Street to Lyerly Street is to ranger from B to C in 2025, with the projected 2040 LOS to range from C to D.

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

Yes

4a. If yes, explain.

a. The proposed facility connects multiple transit options that would provide transit alternatives, both transit and automobile.

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.

The proposed facility is located adjacent to the Northline/HCC METRORail Red Line Station. Multiple bus routes will serve the facility and up to 500 parking spaces will be included in structured parking. The improved transit capacity and connectivity offers access to all major employment and educational centers in the City and can help alleviate congestion on the nearby IH 45, which is a state freight corridor and 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.

a. The Northline Transit Center (NLTC) is located adjacent to the METRORail Red Line Northline station, the terminal station. The NLTC will connect local bus routes and the METRORail Red Line, as well as area drivers via structured parking. b. No truck only lanes are proposed. c. Intersection improvements in the form of signal timing are proposed at Fulton Street and Deerfield Street. A new signal is proposed at Fulton Street and the HCC entrance.

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.

a. The proposed NLTC will be served by the 56 Airline/Montrose BOOST route, which is designed to optimize service and transit treatment to provide a “Better Walk, Better Stop and Better Ride”. Sidewalk, pedestrian and bicyclists access at the NLTC and connecting BOOST routes will improve transit stops with near level boarding to transit vehicles and rebuild (and widen to current City of Houston standards) sidewalks serving the transit stops based on their state of good repair and right ow way availability. The NLTC and connecting Boost routes will also invest in improved crosswalk signage and markings where needed. These investments will enhance access to all users, including those with disabilities. BOOST routes will have enhanced amenities with greater accessibility. b. METRO is making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bus stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. The City of Houston proposes bike lanes on the same block of Fulton Street as the proposed NLTC. d. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation.

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

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. The 56 Antoine/Montrose route, which stops at the NLTC, will be upgraded to a BOOST route. BOOST routes will have higher frequency and upgraded amenities, such as next bus information, branded shelters and signage, and transit-friendly signal timing.

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 NLTC is located at near Fulton Street and Crosstimbers Street. It is not on any truck routes nor adjacent to a bridge over the Houston Ship Channel.

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.

a. The NLTC will be a new facility designed and constructed to METRO’s high standards. The facility will not be in the floodplain and will be designed to accommodate additional drainage needs from the project. b. The new facility will be included in METRO’s Asset Management Plan.

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.

Traffic fatalities within a half-mile of the project site from 2019-2023 include: a. 9/30/2023 – Bauman Rd. @ Julia St. b. 9/24/2022 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. c. 10/17/2021 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. d. 11/29/2020 – IH 45 @ Crosstimbers St. e. 11/04/2020 – IH 45 Frontage Road @ Crosstimbers St. f. 11/29/2020 – IH 45 @ Airline Dr. g. 10/19/2019 – Berry Rd. @ Fulton St.

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.

Traffic serious injuries within a half-mile of the project site from 2019-2023 include: a. Four in 2023 b. Two in 2022 c. Five in 2021 d. Four in 2020 e. Two in 2019

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 proposed NLTC will offer improved connectivity for transit users and allow automobile drivers to access bus and rail facilities, reducing the need travel in congested freeways. The improvements decried in “Other Investment Criteria #3” will all support the reduction in vehicle crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists traveling near the NLTC.

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 project is located outside of the 100-year and 500-year floodplains. Drainage improvements will also be included in the project to mitigate any additional drainage needs from the project.

Access/Connectivity

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

The Household population is 4,153 or 64.5%.

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

The household population for Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities is 8,478.

12. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a medical facility within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

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

The following household population is considered low-income a quarter mile within the Northline Transit Center - 64.5% or 4,153 of the total area population.

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

The Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minority population is 6,106 or 97.46%.

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

The population under poverty is 1,392 or roughly 22.22%.

1d. Disabled Persons

The total number of disabled persons is only 462 or 7.3% of the population.

1e. Elderly Persons

The total number of elderly individuals is 237 or 3.78%.

1f. Limited English Proficiency

A total of the population of those with limited English Proficiency is 1,589 or 25.37%.

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.

The average Livable Center Need Index within a quarter mile is 62.4.

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.

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. METRO is making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bust stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation. d. The METRO Red Line provides access to multiple medical and social facilities within minutes of the NLTC in downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center.

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.

a. The new NLTC will be larger than the existing facility and will enhance the connectivity of the Northline community to the overall METRO network with more bus routes and parking capacity, expanding access to jobs and education. b. A Categorical Exclusion (CE) was approved for the new NLTC that recognized the project’s benefits to the primarily low-income and minority community (attached). The findings of the Environmental Justice analysis for the project determined that there were no disparate or disproportionate impacts on low-income and minority populations.

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 NLTC will provide a safe and convenient connection for the transit customers by expanding the facility to accommodate more existing bus routes and the METRORail service; therefore, emissions reduction are negligible. Approximately, 3,500 daily boardings occur between the adjacent NLTC and METRORail Red Line station (Oct. 2019). The addition of approximately 500 parking spaces and increased bus bays (4 to 7) with the new facility increases the daily boarding by at least 500, and even more as potential new routes stop at the facility. Future expansion of the Red Line northward will also increase transit service attracting more riders. As an approved bus transfer facility in a conforming RTP and approved in the TIP, the project is exempt from air quality analysis.

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

a. The NLTC will provide a safe and convenient connection for transit customers by expanding the facility to accommodate more existing bus routes and METRORail service: therefore, emissions reductions are negligible. b. As an approved bus transfer facility in a conforming RTP and approved in the TIP, the project is exempt from air quality analysis.

Innovation

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

Yes

1a. If yes, please explain.

a. The proposed NLTC connects local bus, and automobile traffic with METRORail creating a multi-modal center enabling travelers to Downtown to avoid the congested IH 45, as well as allowing customers to connect to transit service serving destinations across the northern part of the service area. b. METRO is also making Universal Accessibility (UA) improvements throughout the METRO Service area to better connect bust stops and shelters to meet or exceed ADA standards. c. Finally, the proposed NLTC will have a drop-off area with bicycle parking and pedestrian access to better serve active transportation.

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