713-627-3200
Major Projects Questionnaire
Project Information
| Agency Name | Montgomery County |
| Project Title | FM 1097 Realignment |
| Facility/Street/Highway | FM 1097 |
| Limits | Bentwater to FM 149 |
| Description | Expand from 2-lanes to 4-lane divided. Realign roadway to meet FM 1097 west of FM 149 |
| Timeframe | Medium Term (6-10 Years) |
| Estimated Cost | $170,000,000.00 |
Regional Transportation Plan Goals
FM 1097, between Bentwater and FM 149, is a 2-lane roadway, classified as a major collector. This section of FM 1097 is approximately 6.0 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. Project will widen from 2- to 4-lanes, add a raised median to control left turns from adjacent properties/developments, and bring 10’ wide shoulders to increase safety, while providing a consistent shoulder for cyclists. Project will realign FM 1097 to meet existing FM 1097 west of FM 149. Improvements to the intersection will increase safety, provide greater capacity, simplify travel patterns and connect roadway. The proposed improvements to FM 1097 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 1097 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. 2. Achieve and Maintain a State of Good Repair: The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 1097, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. 3. Move People and Goods Efficiently: As a proposed multimodal facility, FM 1097 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 1097 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 1097 is needed to support future residential development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 242% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor. Activity centers, including Montgomery, Lincoln Elementary School and Lake Conroe 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 1097. 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. There has been an increase in congestion due to recent residential development, and because this facility serves as a major collector between Montgomery and Willis/Conroe. Sight distance is poor due to inadequate vertical and horizontal curves.
Regional Significance
Roadway
Major Collector
Potential Crash Reductions
Project Corridor has had 158 Crashes with 3 Fatal. Total Fatality Crash Rate: 5.664
Of the 158 crashes, 69 had injuries and 3 fatal injuries. Total Serious Injury Crash Rate: 18.880
Widening from two to four lanes and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 1097 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. 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 Lincoln Elementary school, so providing enhanced safety for all users is important for this corridor.
Potential Congestion Reductions
No
1.0 – 1.25
As an alternative east/west connector route in between Montgomery and Willis/Conroe, FM 1097 is experiencing congestion due to poor sight distance and conflicting turn movements. With growing residential and commercial development, and an elementary school along the route, traffic and congestion will continue to increase throughout the corridor. Project will help to draw traffic away from SH 105 and FM 1375. TTI value was obtained using the COMPAT TTI TAMU website/system. Existing TTI: 1.06
FM 1097 provides a 4-lane divided corridor that connects FM 149 to Bentwater. Project widening will significantly ease E/W congestion with added capacity and safety enhancements. The widening of FM 1097 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 1097 is needed to support future residential and commercial development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 242 % for housing units within the ¼ mile corridor and 19.6% for jobs within the TAZ. Project reconstruction and widening will significantly help this east/west 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 signal alignment and function. Add lighting to intersection for better visibility. 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
The proposed project would improve connectivity to existing jobs; 903 jobs (per 2018 data) and 1,080 jobs (per 2045) within the TAZ.
No
Yes
Project Location scores a 3.8 out of 100 for the Activity Index Accessibility Score. Project will draw traffic away from SH 105 and other connectors with the additional capacity, increased safety, and direct route provided. Traffic projections will see a large increase once completed. The new infrastructure will help create new opportunities for jobs and employment centers. As Montgomery grows, FM 1097 will become a critical piece of the community. Within the project TAZ, jobs are anticipated to increase by 19.6% and the population is expected to increase by 85%.
State of Good Repair
Awaiting intel from TxDOT
Fair
The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 1097, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. AADT (2022) = 4,397 AADT (2023) = 4,837 Maintenance Section Boundaries: Districts: Houston, Maintenance Section 5, Montgomery Maintenance Section.
Biking and Walking Conditions
Current roadway has a mix of shoulder widths, leaving little room for cyclists and no room for walking. As part of the Thoroughfare Plan, FM 1097 design roadway is to be a Complete Street concept, meant to provide safe, accessible and convenient use by motorist, transit riders, pedestrians and cyclists. The proposed plans will provide 10' paved shoulders or 6' sidewalks. 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 240% (current housing units = 620; 2045 units = 2,122). In addition to the housing units, FM 1097 at the southern limit at FM 149, connects to Lincoln Elementary School.
Impacts to Vulnerable Populations
21.3% of the total population located within the ¼ mile buffer are considered Low-Moderate Income Persons. (Total Population = 10,221 (2021)) (Low-Moderate Population = 2,175)
2021 Hispanic Household Population = 6.1% (621 out of 10,221), 2021 Non-Hispanic Household Population = 7.9% (805 out of 10,221)
2021 Household Population Under Poverty = 8.6% (884 out of 10,221)
2021 Disabled Persons = 10.0% (1,027 out of 10,221)
2021 Elderly Persons = 9.8% (1,004 out of 10,221)
2021 LEP = 0.4% (38 out of 10,221)
19.9
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 149 and Willis/Conroe.
Hurricane Evacuation Route
No
No