713-627-3200
Major Projects Questionnaire
Project Information
| Agency Name | Montgomery County |
| Project Title | FM 1486 Widening |
| Facility/Street/Highway | FM 1486 |
| Limits | FM 1774 to SH 105 |
| Description | Expand FM 1486 from 2-lanes to 4-lane divided |
| Timeframe | Short Term (0-5 Years) |
| Estimated Cost | $240,000,000.00 |
Regional Transportation Plan Goals
FM 1486, between SH 105 and FM 1774, is a 2-lane roadway, classified as a major collection. This section of FM 1486 is approximately 10.5 miles. There has been an increase in congestion due to recent residential development; there are an estimated additional 10,000 homes planned along the corridor as part of future development. This facility serves as a major north/south connection between Magnolia/Tomball and the SH 105 corridor that serves Conroe to Navasota/Bryan/College Station. The roadway does not meet current design standards. The roadway has narrow shoulders and has poor sight distance due to inadequate vertical curves. Between the at-grade BNSF rail crossing and SH 105, the roadway does not meet current horizontal curve criteria. The project proposes to widen FM 1486 from 2 to 4-lanes with a 16-foot-wide raised median; 10-foot-wide shoulders and a 10-foot-wide shared use path would be in both directions. The project is included in the Montgomery County Major Thoroughfare Plan. Just south of SH 105, the proposed project would provide a grade separated crossing of the BNSF railroad. The FM 1486 at SH 105 intersection would also be improved to accommodate future grade separated diamond interchange. The proposed improvements would also accommodate a grade separated interchange at the future intersection of Keenan Cut-off Road that is included in the Montgomery County Major Thoroughfare Plan. The proposed improvements to FM 1486 meet the five goals of the 2045 RTP: 1. Improve Safety: Widening from two to four lanes and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 1486 is anticipated to reduce crashes by 45% over the service life of 20 years. Grade separating FM 1486 over the BNSF will also yield safety benefits. 2. Achieve and Maintain a State of Good Repair: The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 1486, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. 3. Move People and Goods Efficiently: As a proposed multimodal facility, FM 1486 would be able to efficiently move vehicles, goods, and pedestrians/cyclists in a safe manner. Grade separating FM 1486 over the BNSF will also improve mobility by reducing travel time delays during rail crossing and improving incident response time. 4. Strengthen Regional Economic Competitiveness: Proposed improvements to FM 1486 would provide alternative routes for passenger vehicles and freight to SH 249 and FM 149 for this growing community. FM 1486 provides direct connectivity to SH 105 and SH 249, with a grade separated BNSF railroad crossing to improve mobility. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in over 300% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor; so the commuting population will be increasing on the existing two-lane road. Activity centers, including Conroe, Magnolia, Navasota, Brenham, and College Station are served by the roadway network in this region of Montgomery County. 5. Conserve and Protect Natural and Cultural Resources: Montgomery County will be conducting an Environmental Assessment (EA) for the proposed improvements along FM 1486. After assessing environmental resources and constraints, the alignment and footprint of the roadway will be designed to avoid, minimize and mitigation sensitive environmental resources (natural and cultural). By adding one additional travel lane in each direction, congestion along the facility would be reduced, therefore improving overall air quality.
Regional Significance
Roadway
Major Collector
Potential Crash Reductions
Project Corridor has had 150 Crashes with 0 Fatal. Total Fatality Crash Rate: 0
Of the 150 crashes, 80 had injuries and 0 fatal injuries. Total Serious Injury Crash Rate: 9.812
Widening from two to four lanes and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 1486 is anticipated to reduce crashes by 45% over the service life of 20 years. Additional elements such as full outside shoulders improve safety and can enhance emergency response time. Proposed 10-foot-wide shared use paths along both sides can reduce crashes by 20%. Design elements will also include pedestrian crosswalks at intersections. Grade separating FM 1486 over the BNSF will also yield safety benefits.
Potential Congestion Reductions
No
1.0 – 1.25
As a key north/south connector route in between Dobbin/Montgomery and Magnolia, FM 1486 current and future traffic is greater than the existing current 2-lane capacity. With recent residential and commercial development, and numerous schools along route, traffic will continue to increase throughout the corridor. Project traffic will continue to grow, with the future crossing of SH 249 Toll Road. The proposed widening of FM 1486 is needed to support future residential development. TTI value was obtained using the COMPAT TTI TAMU website/system. Existing TTI: 1.10
The widening of FM 1486 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 1486 is needed to support the future residential development, some of which has already been platted. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in over 300% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor. Project reconstruction and widening will significantly help this north/south corridor, with added capacity and safety enhancements. Safety Benefits: - Widen roadway to help accommodate current and future demand. Second travel lane will provide safe storage zones when cars are decelerating to make felt and right turns. And provide capacity with additional lane in each direction. - Improve horizontal and vertical profiles for greater sight visibility and stopping sight distances. - Improve existing signals alignment and function. Add lighting to intersection for better visibility. - Widen Paved shoulders for increased safety. Work Types: Install Warning/Guide Signs, Improve Traffic Signals, Install Raised Median, Safety Treat Fixed Objects, Safety Lighting at Intersections, Install Pavement Markings, Install Edge Marking, Widen Paved Shoulder, Improve Vertical and Horizontal Alignments, Add Through Lane, and Convert 2-Lane Facility to 4-Lane Divided.
Connectivity to Jobs, Medical Facilities, and Activity Centers
Yes
1769 jobs (per 2018 data) and 4467 jobs (per 2045) within the ¼ mile buffer of the proposed FM 1486 project.
No
No
Proposed improvements to FM 1486 would provide alternative routes to SH 249 and FM 149 for this growing community. FM 1486 provides direct connectivity to SH 105 and SH 249, with a grade separated BNSF railroad crossing to improve mobility. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in over 300% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor; so the commuting population will be increasing on the existing two-lane road. Activity centers, including Conroe, Magnolia, Navasota, Brenham, and College Station are served by the roadway network in this region of Montgomery County.
State of Good Repair
Awaiting intel from TxDOT
Poor
The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 1486, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. AADT (2022) = 4835 AADT (2023) = 5319 Maintenance Section Boundaries: Districts: Houston, Maintenance Section 5, Montgomery Maintenance Section.
Biking and Walking Conditions
The proposed project includes a 10’ shared use path along both sides of the roadway. The current facility does not have pedestrian or bicycle accommodations. Over the next 20 years, the number of housing units is anticipated to increase over 300% (current housing units = 396; 2045 units = 1,659). In addition to the housing units, FM 1486 at the southern limit at FM 1774, connects to Magnolia West High School.
Impacts to Vulnerable Populations
2015 weighted low to moderate-income household population = 33%
2021 Hispanic household population = 18.5% (1847 out of 9989), 2021 Non-Hispanic household population =5.2% (515 out of 9989)
2021 household population under poverty = 8.5% (848 out of 9989)
2021 Disabled Persons = 9.2% (915 out of 9989)
2021 Elderly Persons = 4.1% (408 out of 9989)
2021 LEP = 0.8% (84 out of 9989)
12.6
The benefits of the proposed project such as improved mobility and safety, improved emergency response times, and increased operational efficiency of the proposed roadway would be experienced by all populations, including vulnerable communities. The addition of a 10-ft SUP along both sides of the roadway paired with pedestrian crosswalks would improve pedestrian access and connectivity within the proposed project corridor.
Extensive public engagement, including vulnerable populations, during all phases of the project, including planning, design, construction, and implementation will inform the project development process. Public involvement materials will be prepared in both English and Spanish and accommodation for other non-English speakers will be made as requested. The design will consider feedback from the community to address their needs within the project corridor. The proposed design will take into account the locations of community resources, especially those serving vulnerable populations and wherever possible avoid impacts to these resources. In addition, low-income and environmental justice communities will be identified using U.S. Census data and field verification; the design will avoid taking ROW from these communities and where possible consider specific community needs in these areas. For example, additional pedestrian crossings or additional outreach.
Hurricane Evacuation Route
No
No