Transportation Project Questionnaire

Resiliency and State of Good Repair Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of Houston
Project Title	Gellhorn Dr.
Facility/Street/Highway	Gellhorn Dr.
Limits	Between I-10 on the south and I-610 on the north
Description	Project includes improvement of freight connectivity between IH-610 & IH-10 as well as intersection operations. Improvements will also create safer pedestrian & bicycle facilities and mitigate storm sewer deficiencies.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$17,786,415.00

Investment Category-Focused Criteria

1. Is the project a Roadway Project or a Transit Project?

Roadway

1a. For Roadway projects, this project is located on a facility functionally classified as a:

Minor Arterial

2. Please provide a narrative explaining how proposed project reduces inoperability for significant periods of time due to damaged infrastructure.

Inoperability in this context focuses on the poor pavement conditions, access management and drainage issues within the project limits.? Out of the eight (8) recorded crashes in the TxDOT Crash Records Information System (CRIS) database between 2016 – 2021, half of the collisions in the Need Area are related to a fixed object. Of the remaining collisions,? one was related to a right turn movement and three were sideswipe collisions. Four of the?collisions were located at the Kroger driveway entrance and two were located at the second BlueLinx driveway entrance. It is assumed that a contributing factor to the collisions is the poor pavement conditions on the existing road.?? Pavement Conditions: A rehabilitation project was undertaken in 2021 to replace street panels and improve drivability of the corridor as driving quality was very poor. Anecdotal complaints were frequently received from the Kroger location that eggs broke in the trucks as they traversed the corridor. The bad conditions also resulted in Metro suspending the Route 11 bus service on the corridor until the rehabilitation was completed. Service was restored in August 2022. This improvement is a short-term fix for about five years and a full reconstruction as proposed in this project will provide assurance that trucks, buses, and single passanger cars can comfortably and safely use the corridor. Please see Appendix D of the attached supporting documentation for a detailed presentation of these short-term rehabilitation efforts as well as the design concept report efforts.?? Access Management: The existing median widths, median openings, insufficient length of left turn bays, and median opening spacing create maneuverability and operation issues for trucks. Taking out the median & installing a continuous center turn lane in the proposed improvements makes it easier for trucks to make turns and queue for left turns.??? Drainage Issues: Gellhorn Drive, within the project limit, is known for its ponding and flooding issues which make the road inoperable during storm events. Ponding is significant for 10, 25 and 100-year storm events. This is unacceptable as distribution centers including Kroger are most needed to distribute goods and supplies during storm events to the southeastern parts of the greater Houston region and to vulnerable populations.?

3. Please provide total estimated daily users served by the proposed project. AADT for roadway project (total users=AADT*vehicle occupancy) or daily total ridership for transit project.

2,824

4. What is the age of the facility where proposed project is located?

Passed beyond useful life and/or under very poor conditions

4a. What is the existing condition of the facility.

Poor

5. Does the project sponsor maintain an approved and regularly updated asset management plan?

Yes

5a. If yes, please provide a link to the existing asset management plan.

The City of Houston’s Capital Projects & Assets Management sections within Public Works are responsible for capital projects and accounting of all fixed assets for the department. The Asset Management Section is responsible for the accounting of all constructed and purchased fixed assets for the department, more than $16 billion in asset value. The section maintains and annually provides detailed information and schedules to the City’s Risk Management Group for insurance purposes. Annual inventory is a key component to ensuring safeguarding of the City’s assets. The City of Houston is well positioned to incorporate all future construction projects into the asset management process and inventory to ensure that capital expenditures are maintained and accounted for appropriately. Please see the following attachments for additional support: Infrastructure Asset Management Policy, Pavement Management 24.4-24.5, & SWMB Asset Management Plan - 12.15.21.-Please see additional documents

6. Is the proposed project located on a facility identified as a hurricane evacuation route in any regional or local plans?

6a. If no, is the proposed project located on a facility that functions as an alternative to an evacuation route?

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 existing conditions for Gellhorn Drive is considerably deficient. Gellhorn Drive lacks adequate access management for trucks, public transportation, and general traffic operations. The facility also has poor Pavement Condition Indices, limited pedestrian facilities, and an inadequate storm sewer system. By reconstructing the roadway and installing a continuous 12-ft center turn lane, access management and traffic operations along the corridor will be substantially improved . This will enable increased freight movement and public transportation circulation. As freight frequency increases, the likelihood for warehouse expansion is high. In turn, this will drive growth in retail or similar consumer facilities. Installation of pedestrian facilities will allow for safe pedestrian circulation through the corridor and will provide better access to the eight METRO bus stops along the corridor as well. Updating the storm sewer system will mitigate flooding hazards due to being overburden as development increases along the corridor.? Improved transportation facilities will contribute to area residential growth and economic opportunities as it increases accessibility and proximity, allowing more jobs to be created thus driving an increase in consumer demand. An expansion of economic centers and warehouse facilities may contribute to establishing partnerships between local businesses in the area. In the aggregate, these improvements?will not only improve the quality of life for residents, but also contribute to the economic growth of the area.

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.

"The Gellhorn corridor is classified as a major thoroughfare in the City of Houston’s Major Freeway and Thoroughfare Plan. The corridor within the project limits serves as a connector to several distribution centers and logistics companies in the region. The most notable among them is the Kroger Distribution Center. The Kroger Distribution Center, located along the corridor, is the farthest southeast location Kroger possesses within this region and?is the larger of two distribution centers in the greater Houston Area. The next closest Kroger Distribution Center, along the southeast corridor, is in Memphis, Tennessee. This location is critical to supplying goods to east Houston and much of the southeastern United States. In the event of a natural disaster that prohibits access from the east to western regions of Greater Houston, this distribution center would reduce the passage of freight and availability of food for the region. Please see attached Appendix C illustrating Regional Kroger Distribution Centers as supporting documentation. The traffic mix within the corridor is between 12% and 31% trucks per 2021 and 2022 traffic counts. The corridor acts as a middle-mile connector for Houston’s freight network.? The corridor links access roads to IH-10 and IH-610, both of which are identified in FHWA’s National Highway Freight Network. The corridor connects directly to the northern portion of Gellhorn Dr. which is identified in TxDOT’s Texas Highway Freight Network. While not listed as a prioritized roadway in H-GAC’s CUFCs, the corridor is located within one of the Top 25 TAZ (traffic analysis zone)’s boundaries utilized by H-GAC to identify new CUFCs in 2022. The existing typical section is a four-lane divided concrete roadway with curbs and gutters, all within 100 feet of the existing Right-of-Way (ROW). Identified deficiencies include very low Pavement Condition Indices (PCI), insufficient length of left turn bays, existing storm sewer system with inadequate capacity, flooding, and truck parking in the right lane. In its existing condition, there have been observed potential visibility obstructions, evidence of collisions, and congestion related to truck queuing. Improvements include a full reconstruction of the roadway with concrete pavement that includes two 12-ft travel lanes, a continuous center turn lane to allow for safe turning movements and for buses and cars to safely pass any illegally parked trucks, increased signage and enforcement to prohibit on-street truck parking, and updates to the closed underground storm system. Traffic operational capacity analysis showed acceptable operating conditions for the 2024 reduced number of travel lanes.? This project will improve traffic operaperations by improving roadway conditions through?reconstructing the roadway and installing a continuous 12-ft center turn lane. The installation of a continuous 12-ft center turn lane will greatly improve access management, thru traffic movement, and traffic operations along the corridor as adequate and safe space for turning trucks will be provided.? Upgrading the closed storm sewer system will mitigate street ponding and related delays. The corridor provides a bypass for trucks routed to the Port of Houston to access IH-610.?? The current scope does not include truck only lanes/managed truck only lanes or grade separation."

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.

There are limited pedestrian facilities identified along the corridor. The existing pedestrian infrastructure consists of a discontinuous 4-ft sidewalk.? Pedestrian improvements include installing a 6-ft sidewalk on the west side of Gellhorn Drive as well as a 10-ft shared use path on the east side. Both the sidewalk and the shared use path are to be elevated and separated from the edge of pavement with a 4-ft safety buffer that will include landscaping. The buffer is provided for the safety of motorists and pedestrians as well as for aesthetic reasons. Landscaping will be utilized along the pedestrian facilities to balance the industrial feel of the corridor and provide erosion control. Landscaping will encourage and enhance the use of the proposed shared use paths and will be included in the final design.?? Lighting will be installed along the length of the corridor to increase the comfort and safety of the pedestrian facilities. The corridor currently has eight (8) Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) bus stops. Pedestrian realm improvements will greatly improve ease of access to transit facilities.

5. Please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves traffic conditions for transit services (local, express, signature, or commuter).

"The corridor currently has eight (8) Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) bus stops on Route 11 along the corridor in the project limits. The METRO team showed support for the proposed vehicle lane widths (12-foot lanes and a 12-foot center turn lane), which provides more room for buses but voiced concern over the trucks parking along the corridor. It is recommended that signage be placed along the corridor with increased enforcement. This would prohibit on-street truck parking and the addition of a continuous turning lane will allow for buses and cars to safely pass any illegally parked trucks. Residents and workers who utilize this route are exposed to usafe conditions as the limited, disjointed sidewalks do not meet city standards. The construction of pedestrian facilites, decrease in delay, and smoother more enjoyable ride due to the roadway reconstruction will increase ridership. Route 11 connects to the Fifth Ward / Denver Harbor Transit Center and Route 97 Connects to the Mesa Transit Center. The multimodal improvements to Gellhorn Dr. will allow for ease of access and connectivity to transit across East Houston and the rest of the city as well.

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.

0.00 per 100 million VMT

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.

0.00 per 100 million VMT

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 project reduces expected fatalities and serious injury crashes by implementing the following: reconstruction of the roadway (resurfacing work code 303) which results in a 30% crash reduction factor, installing a continuous turn lane (work code 518) which results in a 50% reduction in crashes, and installing a 6-ft sidewalk and a 10-ft shared use path (work code 407) which is expected to result in a 65% reduction in crashes. Any required pedestrian crosswalks (work code 403) along the corridor will result in a 10% crash reduction factor. Improving road infrastructure by implementing clear signage, incorporating visible pavement markings, and ensuring proper lighting will also aid in reducing the severity of crashes. Pavement marking installation (work code 401) results in a 20% crash reduction factor while installing edge markings (work code 402) result in a 25% crash reduction factor. Lastly, safety lighting (work code 304) results in a 49% crash reduction factor. Not included in the safety benefits calculation template is the installation of landscaped safety buffers which is also expected to reduce serious injuries or fatalities to pedestrians in vehicle-pedestrian crashes.???

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.

Medium

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 drainage infrastructure servicing the Gellhorn Dr. project area does not meet Atlas 14 standards. The area currently suffers significant ponding for 2, 10, 25, and 100-year storm events. This largely due to the overflow from the Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) channel Unit No. H125-00-00 combined with inadequate storm sewer capacity. Ponding along the corridor is controlled by both the local drainage capacity of the storm sewers and the tailwater conditions in channels H103-00-00 and H125-00-00. Ponding issues vary through the area depending on the size and condition of the drainage system. Based on the HCFCD Wallisville Feasibility Study, overland flow spilling over from Hunting Bayou and flowing south is affecting the Gellhorn Drive area during extreme storm events.? For a two year event, the south storm sewer along Gellhorn Drive is sufficient to convey the flow while the north storm sewer is inadequate.? Recommended improvements include channel improvements proposed and led by HCFCD within HCFCD Unit No. H125-00-00 to storm sewer improvements along the project facility.? These improvements can provide a near 25-year Level of Service compared to the existing.? Detention/Mitigation volume of 32 acre-feet is included as part of the drainage improvements and a couple of parcels along the corridor have been identified for that purpose.?Improvements will meet Atlas 14 standards.

Access/Connectivity

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

2,184

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

Hispanic Minorities- 2,808 Non-Hispanic Minorities - 332

2. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a medical facility within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

3. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a school/college/university within a quarter mile buffer of the project location?

4. Does the proposed project improve or provide new connectivity to a social services facility within a quarter buffer of the project location?

Yes

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

2,184

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

Hispanic Minorities – 2,808 Non-Hispanic Minorities - 332

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

852

1d. Disabled Persons

384

1e. Elderly Persons

147

1f. Limited English Proficiency

493

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.

61.3

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.

Ponding, flooding, and pavement conditions have made it difficult or impossible to use during storm events limiting the resiliency potential for moving both people and goods through the area. The proposed project introduces wider travel lanes and a continuous center turn lane to help with the efficient and safe movement of trucks even through storm events to supply goods to vulnerable populations.?These improvements will also allow for efficient and safe movement for the public transportation routes 11 & 97 that services this area. Within a quarter mile buffer of the project area, 67.9% of the population is of Low-Moderate Income, and 57% qualify as vulnerable populations.? The proposed project will construct a buffered 10-foot shared use path on one side of the roadway and a 6 foot buffered sidewalk on the other. These provide a safe space for non-motorized traffic & pedestrians to traverse the corridor. The construction of these pedestrian spaces allow much needed access to transit stops as well. These improvements create safe public and pedestrian realm spaces for workers in the distribution centers to walk and gather as part of community building and placemaking. The buffered areas also present opportunities for the planting of shade trees to create a more pleasant walking, rolling, and cycling environment. The corridor currently has eight (8) Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) bus stops on Route 11 along the corridor within the project limits. The METRO team showed support for the proposed vehicle lane widths (12-foot lanes and a 12-foot center turn lane) which provides more adequate room for buses. Continued partnership with METRO on bus shelter enhancements will expand options for pedestrians within the right of way. As population growth and development changes the land use patterns within the project corridor, transit signal priority, ADA-accessible ramps, and platforms are added benefits to residents who are in vulnerable populations. Route 11 connects to the Fifth Ward / Denver Harbor Transit Center and Route 97 Connects to the Mesa Transit Center. The multimodal improvments to Gellhorn Dr. will allow for ease of access and connectivity to transit across East Houston and the rest of the city as well. Pedestrian and bicycle facilities play a crucial role in providing cheaper mobility options for individuals who do not have access to a personal vehicle. Sidewalks and bike lanes improve accessibility for those who rely on walking or cycling as their primary mode of transportation. These dedicated spaces provide a separate, safer, and convenient route for them to commute as it mitigates the risk of vehicle accidents and collisions.? Well placed lighting fixtures create a welcoming and safe atmosphere that will improve visibility during nighttime hours. Landscaping elements such as trees, plants and flowers also contribute to the visual appeal by creating a more natural and inviting environment, mitigating noise and filtering air pollutants. Furthermore, these improvements will increase safety, improve the flow of traffic, and address the city’s Vision Zero goals by reducing the chance of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries through safer street design.

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.

Pedestrian and bicycle facilities play a crucial role in providing cheaper mobility options for individuals who do not have access to a personal vehicle. Sidewalks and bike lanes improve accessibility for those who rely on walking or cycling as their primary mode of transportation. These dedicated spaces provide a separate, safer, and convenient route for them to commute as it mitigates the risk of vehicle accidents and collisions.? The addition of safe bicycle and pedestrian facilities along Gellhorn will improve the economic vitality of East Houston as these will promote safe traffic through the area. Well placed lighting fixtures create a welcoming and safe atmosphere that will improve visibility during nighttime hours. Landscaping elements such as trees, plants and flowers also contribute to the visual appeal by creating a more natural and inviting environment, mitigating noise and filtering air pollutants. The improvements to the pedestrian realm and travel lanes will have a positive impact on the movement of people through the area. These improvements will positively impact the cohesion of the corridor and the aesthetic value. The reconstruction, installation of a continuous center turn lane, and the widening of travel lanes will decrease traffic congestion and delay. There will be no displacement of persons, businesses, farms or non-profit organizations. There will be no adverse impacts on employment or private facilities and services. This project will enhance the public facility of the roadway and adjacent pedestrian areas and drainage facilities. This project will provide mitigation for itself. It will not cause or contribute to any impacts to the existing floodplains. Outflows beyond the improved area have been restricted to match the existing outflows for extreme events. There are no adverse impacts to any natural and/or cultural resources. While identified wetlands and floodplains are present near the project corridor, reconstruction of the travel facilities will not produce negative externalities to these natural resources.

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 corridor is located within a 100- and 500-year flood plain. A designated channel, HCFCD Unit No. H103-00-00, is located toward the southern limit of the corridor. This channel intersects with H125-00-00. Recommended improvements include channel improvements within HCFCD Unit NO. H125-00-00 proposed and led by HCFCD in addition to City-led storm sewer improvements along the project facility including a regional detention pond. ? Through project development, HCFCD will have final approval over any proposed stormwater discharge into their system. Per HCFCD requirements, there will be no downstream impacts to their system. HCFCD has been involved with the development of Appendix A, the project Design Concept Report.? ? ? This project will provide mitigation for itself. It will not cause or contribute to any impacts to the existing floodplains.? Outflows beyond the improved area have been restricted to match the existing outflows for extreme events.? There are no adverse impacts to any natural and/or cultural resources. While identified wetlands and floodplains are present near the project corridor, reconstruction of the travel facilities will not produce negative externalities to these natural resources. Historical/Archeological sites exist outside of the project corridor and will not be impeded by the reconstruction of traffic facilities within the corridor.? Please see additional document, Appendix E, Oates Road Red Flag Report and Appendix F, Archeological_Site_Gellhorn_Oates.?

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)

Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) emissions reduction - 0.04 tons Volatile Organic Compounds emissions reductions - 0.11 tons

Innovation

1. Does the project propose to implement new infrastructure technologies to enhance accessibility, mobility, multimodalism, resiliency, reliability, or traffic operations?

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