Transportation Project Questionnaire

Transit Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Mont Belvieu
Project Title	Public Works & Engineering Director
Facility/Street/Highway	FM 565
Limits	From SH 99 to Canal St.
Description	Reconstruction of 2-lane open ditch to 4-lane Blvd with curb and gutter with sidewalks and bikeway.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$24,000,000.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the proposed project recommended in a regional, subregional, local, transit, livable centers or other plans?

Yes

1a. If yes, please provide link to the plan.

https://www.h-gac.com/livable-centers/planning-studies/mont-belvieu

2. Does the proposed project provide transit service or expand transit service to locations which do not currently have a transit service?

3. Does the proposed project provide connectivity to other transit services?

4. Does the proposed project improve or provide transit connectivity to jobs?

5. Please provide daily ridership served by the proposed transit project.

28398

6. Please provide narrative explaining how the transit agency (sponsor) helps to evacuate people during severe weather events (Hurricanes).

Facilities being improved are part of the hurricane evacuation route of the area.

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Was the project scored under Regional Goods Movement Category?

Yes

2. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project benefits high growth areas. Within the narrative, please explain if the proposed project improves or provides access to new residential developments, retail stores, other land uses, or if the proposed project alleviates future congestion due to potential economic development activity such as expansion of warehouses or other freight generators.

The proposed improvements will increase the throughput capacity of the existing road, decreasing delays and improving safety. The road is expected to reach capacity within the next couple of years. The project will widen FM 565 from 2 lane undivided to 4 lanes divided with ability to adjust for additional capacity and turn lanes including wider sidewalk or trails with bikers. The intersections with Eagle Dr. and SH-99 will be improved and upgraded with signal technology including adding a fiber connection to the cities MBlink internet system for emergency services. Additional signals or pedestrian crossings will be analyzed and installed for the Riceland Development access to Town Center and City Hall.

3. 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.

Proposed improvements will minimize delays and maximize safety.

4. 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 City of Mont Belvieu has successfully connected most of its neighborhoods with sidewalks and bicycle paths. BHISD one of the top school districts in the state is located in the City in a college style campus. All schools from kindergarten to high school are in one big campus. Having a walk-able path from all areas of the City has been a goal of council and the Eagle Dr. project will expand those current sidewalk networks. It will include a 4' sidewalk in one side and a 10' share path sidewalk on the other side. The road will have pole lights that will illuminate the sidewalks and provide walk ability at night. The project will provide pedestrian connectivity to our City Hall complex, the town center, our Rec Center, Golf Course, City Park, and to all BHISD buildings. The project will increase sidewalks and/ or trails for pedestrians and bikers. the project will provide design for walkers and bikers to get to the new city hall on the northside of FM 565. This will be critical since Riceland development is located mainly on the eastside of Eagle Dr and northside of FM 565. Project will provide a safer or improved bike/walker route to get to the Town Center area, Riceland area and park area approx. 0.5 mile south of FM 565.

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.

FM 565 in this area is a vital connection for Mont Belvieu and the adjacent area. Today, FM 565 is a 2-lane highway undivided with 2' to no shoulders. Adding 4 lanes concrete pavement will help keep traffic moving and provide a relief lane or can provide a traffic pattern change to other side for emergency personnel to keep safe. The biggest threats would be emergencies due to hurricanes and plant emergencies due to explosions. Both of these situations are real, and The City has had to face in the past multiple times.

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 existing road facility is in need to a major upgrade. The existing road is a 2-lane roadway with asphalt overlay. Project is currently planned to be concrete curb and gutter providing a long-life span. This will help with future maintenance. Underground storm system will not require cleaning out or scraping ditches every year to maintain a good flow. Additionally, the existing roadway section is reaching the end of its 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.

0.0435 (2022)

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.

0.260 (2022)

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 project will expand the facility to a 4-lane road with a raised median that will channelize and improve traffic in the area. The city expanded the section of the road 10 years ago and that greatly improved mobility and reduced accidents. The addition of sidewalks along both side of the road will provide a nice facility for our walkers to take. The additional of traffic signals at all critical intersections will reduce accidents and will provide pedestrian signals. The addition of a traffic circle at Eagle Dr/FM 565 will provide a safer movement of cars and will reduce 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.

Low

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 will drain to our Hackberry regional detention park which has been constructed and will accommodate all detention needed for the project. Extensive drainage studies have been performed by the city. Some channel improvements will be necessary to convey drainage to the existing detention ponds. Additionally, the road profile will be lowered to reduce the possibility of the road damming potential ponding.

Access/Connectivity

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

1252

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

931

2. 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?

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

1242

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

931

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

1d. Disabled Persons

500

1e. Elderly Persons

830

1f. Limited English Proficiency

1320

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.

The City of Mont Belvieu does not have a large vulnerable population, however, it does serve several communities with low-moderate-income such as Liberty, Dayton, and Cove. The proposed roadway improvements create safety for vehicles and all pedestrian accessing the facility. It will control speed and provide signalized traffic stops. It will allow better access for all communities to City park, BHISD, Rec Center, Library, and the town 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.

The project will promote healthy living, better access to critical facilities in the City. It is not proposed to re-locate any residents nor increase noise. An environmental study will be performed to determine any potential effects to the environment or the populations. Any impacts will be mitigated as necessary.

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 proposed project is not in any known wetlands areas and is not in a designated flood plain. An environmental study will be performed to determine any potential effects to the environment or the populations. Any impacts will be mitigated as necessary. It will follow all requirements per Federal laws.

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.
(Optional)

0.03 (both)

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.

The south end of the project is where the new Livable Center, updated City Hall, park area, retail, and other businesses will be. Innovative ideas will be implemented for the mobility of pedestrians and cyclists from all parts of town including crossing signals or median bulb-outs for refuge. Technologies will be needed for Riceland Development to connect to City Hall and Livable Center area. The implementation of this project would significantly improve connectivity and congestion while working cohesively with the livable center and the City's ultimate vision of a walkable town.

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