713-627-3200
Major Projects Questionnaire
Project Information
| Agency Name | Montgomery County |
| Project Title | FM 2854 Expansion |
| Facility/Street/Highway | FM 2854 |
| Limits | Loop 336 to SH 105 |
| Description | Expand from 2-lanes to 4-lane divided. |
| Timeframe | Medium Term (6-10 Years) |
| Estimated Cost | $390,000,000.00 |
Regional Transportation Plan Goals
FM 2854, between SH 105 and Loop 336, is a 2-lane roadway, classified as a major collector. This section of FM 2854 is approximately 13.8 miles. FM 2854 is an alternate East/West connector between Montgomery and Conroe. 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, provide greater capacity, while providing a consistent shoulder for cyclists . Improvements to a number of intersections within the project corridor will increase safety, simplify travel patterns and connect roadways. The proposed improvements to FM 2854 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 2854 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 2854, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. 3. Move People and Goods Efficiently: As a proposed multimodal facility, FM 2854 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 2854 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 2854 is needed to support future residential development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 803% for housing units within a ¼ mile of the project corridor. Activity centers, include Montgomery, Lone Star Elementary School, Montgomery Junior High School, Lake Creek High School, McDade Park, Bayou Land Conservancy Mussel Pond Preserve and 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 2854. 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 and commercial development, and because this facility serves as an alternative major collector between Montgomery and Conroe. Safety, Stopping and Congestion are all concerns due to inadequate sight distances and corridor capacity.
Regional Significance
Roadway
Major Collector
Potential Crash Reductions
Project Corridor has had 513 Crashes with 3 Fatal. Total Fatality Crash Rate: 1.018
Of the 513 crashes, 262 had injuries (259 motorist injuries and 3 cyclist injuries). Total Serious Injury Crash Rate: 5.431
Widening from two to four lanes and installing a raised median along the entire length of FM 2854 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 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 east/west connector route in between Montgomery and Conroe, FM 2854 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 will also continue to draw traffic away from SH 105 as SH 105 corridor continues to develop. TTI value was obtained using the COMPAT TTI TAMU website/system. Existing TTI: 1.20
FM 2854 provides a 4-lane divided corridor that connects SH 105/Montgomery to Loop 336/Conroe. Project widening will significantly ease E/W congestion with added capacity and safety enhancements. The widening of FM 2854 will provide congestion relief for automobile users. The proposed widening of FM 2854 is needed to support future residential and commercial development. H-GAC land use estimates an increase in nearly 803 % for housing units within the ¼ mile corridor and 51% 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 existing signals 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; 8,632 jobs (per 2018 data) and 13,037 jobs (per 2045) within the TAZ.
Yes
Yes
Project Location scores a 2.9 out of 100 for the Activity Index Accessibility Score. Project will draw traffic away from SH 105 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 & Conroe grows, FM 2854 will become a critical piece of the community. Numerous schools already sit adjacent to project corridor. Within the project TAZ, jobs are anticipated to increase by 51% and the population is expected to increase by 232%.
State of Good Repair
Awaiting intel from TxDOT
Good
The proposed project would completely reconstruct this section of FM 2854, requiring minimal maintenance for at least 20 years after completion. AADT (2022) = 10,633 AADT (2023) = 11,697 Maintenance Section Boundaries: Districts: Houston, Maintenance Section 5, Montgomery Maintenance Section.
Biking and Walking Conditions
The 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 2854 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 803% (current housing units = 602; 2045 units = 5,482). In addition to the housing units, FM 2854 connects to Lone Star Elementary School, Montgomery Junior High School and Lake Creek High School.
Impacts to Vulnerable Populations
28.1% of the total population located within the ¼ mile buffer are considered Low-Moderate Income Persons. (Total Population = 22,201 (2021)) (Low-Moderate Population = 6,249)
2021 Hispanic Household Population = 10.1% (2,238 out of 22,201), 2021 Non-Hispanic Household Population = 8.5% (1,896 out of 22,201)
2021 Household Population Under Poverty = 4.9% (1,041 out of 22,201)
2021 Disabled Persons = 7.3% (1,629 out of 22,201)
2021 Elderly Persons = 5.8% (1,282 out of 22,201)
2021 LEP = 0.4% (97 out of 22,201)
12.1
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 SH 105, Loop 336 and Montgomery/Conroe.
Hurricane Evacuation Route
No
No