713-627-3200
Major Projects Questionnaire
Project Information
| Agency Name | Montgomery County |
| Project Title | FM 149 Widening - South |
| Facility/Street/Highway | FM 149 |
| Limits | FM 1774 to Jackson Rd |
| Description | Expand FM 149 from 2-lanes to 4-lane divided. Includes railroad grade separation |
| Timeframe | Short Term (0-5 Years) |
| Estimated Cost | $150,000,000.00 |
Regional Transportation Plan Goals
FM 149 Widening Southbound, between Jackson Road/FM 149/UPRR and FM 1774 is classified as a 2-lane major collector roadway. This section of FM 149 is approximately 7.5 miles. The roadway does not meet current design standards. The roadway has narrow shoulders and has poor sight distance due to inadequate vertical and horizontal curves. The proposed project will initially widen from 2 to 4-lanes with a raised 12’-16’median, 10’ wide shoulders to increase safety, and separate traffic from at grade railroad crossings, while planning for future expansion to 6-lanes. The proposed improvements to FM 149 meet the five goals of the 2045 RTP: 1. Improve Safety: Widening from two to four lanes (initially, before ultimate 6-lane typical sections) and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 149 is anticipated to reduce crashes by 25% over the service life of 20 years. Additional safety benefits include bringing the roadway to current design standards including the horizontal and vertical curves. Grade separating FM 149 over the railroads will also yield safety benefits. 2. Achieve and Maintain a State of Good Repair: The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 149, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. 3. Move People and Goods Efficiently: As a proposed multimodal facility, FM 149 would be able to efficiently move vehicles, goods, and pedestrians/cyclists in a safe manner. The additional capacity will also improve mobility by reducing travel time delay and improving incident response time. 4. Strengthen Regional Economic Competitiveness: The widening of FM 149 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 149 is needed to support future residential development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 239% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor. Activity centers, including Magnolia, Magnolia High School, Egypt, Pinehurst and Tomball 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 149. 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 additional travel lanes 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 363 Crashes with 5 Fatal. Total Fatality Crash Rate: 2.743
Of the 363 crashes, 158 had injuries (157 motorist & 1 pedestrian) and 4 fatal motorist injuries. Total Serious Injury Crash Rate: 6.584
Widening from two to four lanes (initially, before ultimate 6-lane typical sections) and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 149 is anticipated to reduce crashes by 45% over the service life of 20 years. Additional safety benefits include bringing the roadway to current design standards including the horizontal and vertical curves. Grade separating FM 149 over the railroads will also yield safety benefits. Additional proposed improvements at multiple intersections (lighting, signals, signage and sightlines) will reduce crashes, increase safety and efficiency. Widen paved shoulders, add through lane, safety treat fixed objects, new signing and pavement markings and improve traffic signals. The corridor serves multiple schools, so providing enhanced safety for all users is important for this corridor.
Potential Congestion Reductions
No
1.0 – 1.25
As an alternative north/south connector route in Montgomery County, FM 149 current and future traffic is greater than the existing current 2-lane capacity. With recent residential and commercial development, and with connection to SH 249 Toll Road, traffic and demand will continue to increase throughout the corridor. TTI value was obtained using the COMPAT TTI TAMU website/system. Existing TTI: 1.10
FM 149 Widening SB provides a 4-lane divided corridor that connects FM 149/Jackson Road to FM 1774. Project widening will significantly ease N/S congestion with added capacity and safety enhancements. The widening of FM 149 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. An upgrade connection with SH 249 Toll Road will greatly reduce congestion. The proposed widening of FM 149 is needed to support future residential and commercial development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 239 % for housing units and 105% for jobs within a ¼ mile of the project corridor. Safety Benefits: - Eliminate conflicts with grade separations over multiple railroad crossings - Current standards will provide horizontal and vertical profiles providing greater sight visibility and stopping sight distances. - Improve signal safety and function. Adding lighting to intersection for better visibility and increase sightlines. - Will create full signalized intersections at all major intersections (sight distance, lighting, signals, signage, storage, and dedicated turn movements) 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, Grade Separation, Add Through Lane, and Convert 2-Lane Facility to 4-Lane Divided.
Connectivity to Jobs, Medical Facilities, and Activity Centers
Yes
The proposed project would improve connectivity to existing jobs; 2,546 jobs (per 2018 data) and 5,211 jobs (per 2045) within the ¼ mile buffer of the proposed FM 149 Widening SB project.
Yes
Yes
Project Location scores a 3.1 out of 100 for the Activity Index Accessibility Score. FM 149 Widening SB will provide a direct NB/SB connection to FM 1774. The new UPRR overpasses will eliminate any at grade conflicts, allowing community greater access. FM 149 will connect with future SH 249 Toll Road. The new infrastructure will help create new opportunities for jobs and employment centers. Within a ¼ mile buffer of this section of roadway, jobs are anticipated to increase by 105% and the population is expected to increase by 372%.
State of Good Repair
Awaiting intel from TxDOT
Poor
The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 149 Widening SB, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. AADT (2022) = 12,139 AADT (2023) = 13,352 Maintenance Section Boundaries: Districts: Houston, Maintenance Section 5, Montgomery Maintenance Section.
Biking and Walking Conditions
FM 149 Widening SB will provide either 10' paved shoulders or 6' sidewalks as part of the desired "Complete Streets" concept providing safe, accessible and convenient use by motorists, pedestrians and cyclists. 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 239% (current housing units = 725; 2045 units = 2,459). In addition to the housing units, FM 149 serves Magnolia High School.
Impacts to Vulnerable Populations
38% of the total population located within the ¼ mile buffer are considered Low-Moderate Income Persons. (Total Population = 11,349 (2021)) (Low-Moderate Population = 4,313)
2021 Hispanic Household Population = 10.6% (1,206 out of 11,349), 2021 Non-Hispanic Household Population = 6.4% (731 out of 11,349)
2021 Household Population Under Poverty = 7.5% (850 out of 11,349)
2021 Disabled Persons = 9.3% (1,059 out of 11,349)
2021 Elderly Persons = 4.1% (463 out of 11,349)
2021 LEP = 1.1% (120 out of 11,349)
10.1
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. No displacements of persons or business anticipated. Project will reduce congestion and increase potential for new employment opportunities through new and improved corridor access and connections to Fm 1774, SH249 Toll Road and FM 1488.
Hurricane Evacuation Route
No
No