Transportation Project Questionnaire

Resiliency and State of Good Repair Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	Greater Southeast Management District
Project Title	Cleburne Street Cap and NHHIP Impact Mitigation
Facility/Street/Highway	Cleburne Street at IH-69, Almeda Road at IH-69, Alabama St at IH-45
Limits	Cleburne St. at IH-69, Almeda Road at IH-69, Alabama St. at IH-45, Elgin at IH-45, Tuam at IH-45, McGowen at IH-45
Description	Enable implementation of connectivity, green space, and community connections as associated with NHHIP Project.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$50,000,000.00

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.

The funded condition will assist in preserving the existing connection spanning IH-69 at Cleburne, which is not included in the current NHHIP environmental document. This span will provide redundancy in the event that other area overpasses (Almeda, La Branch) are taken out of service due to an incident. The preservation of the connection will reduce inoperability of traffic on the street grid in the area.

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.

7,931 (4,749 AADT * 1.67 vehicle occupancy)

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

The existing crossings and bridge structures are approximately 46 years old.

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 base infrastructure being requested will be maintained by TxDOT as it is in the TxDOT right-of-way. Funding commitments from the District will be provided to participate in this process. TxDOT's asset management plan can be found here: https://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/brg/transportation-asset-management-plan-2022.pdf. GSMD Plan here: https://houstonse.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2019-2028-Service-and-Assessment-Plan-for-uploading-to-website.pdf

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?

Yes

6a-i. If yes, explain.

This project is located along IH-69, which connects to IH-45, a designated evacuation route. IH-69 can also provide an alternative to IH-45 near the downtown area, near the project location.

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

1. Was the project scored under Regional Goods Movement Category?

1a. If no, please provide a narrative explaining how the proposed project improves regional goods movement. Within the narrative, please include if the proposed project is designated as a critical freight corridor or a local/regional/state truck route.

The IH-69 facility itself is designated as a critical freight corridor and as a state/regional truck route. The funded condition will preserve the connection at Cleburne which is an existing minor arterial connection between Midtown, the Third Ward, University of Houston, and Texas Southern University. The area is also proximate to Downtown Houston and the Texas Medical Center. The project interfaces with freeway access points at Almeda and Blodgett. As such, the project's preservation of the Cleburne corridor across IH-69 will improve freight ingress/egress to IH-69 as well as the movement of goods which depart IH-69 and are headed to area activity centers and destinations.

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 Midtown and Third Ward area has been experiencing significant infill and redevelopment growth which requires high quality multimodal access and connectivity. The funded condition will provide the necessary level of multimodal access in the area and will preserve the Cleburne connection across IH-69. These elements are necessary to support the following recently completed and underway developments, which quantify and define the area as one of high growth: General CoStar Data (Commercial) - indicates that within 1 mile of the project area, and between 1999 and 2009 there was an annual average of ~350,000 square feet (SF) of development construction underway. Between 2009 and 2023 (YTD) that amount has grown to an annual average of ~1,100,000 SF, with over 1.1M SF of new construction occurring in 2023. This 214% increase in construction activity is evidence that this is a high growth area. Area Residential Development - The area surrounding the project limits has seen an influx of new single-family development in the form of townhomes and patio homes. New residential development, available through HCAD, indicates that within 1/4 mile of the project limits there has been over 1.7M SF in residential development produced between 2010 and 2023. The vast majority of this (1.4M SF) is residential single-family structures (in this area, townhomes and patio homes). Area Commercial and Multifamily Development - New commercial development, available through HCAD, indicates that within 1/4 mile of the project limits there has been over 3.2M SF in delivered new commercial growth between 2010 and 2023. The highest growth area has been apartment complexes (classified as commercial development by HCAD and other taxing jurisdictions), at 2.1M SF. Oxberry Midtown Development - A planned 3.5 city block redevelopment project at Milam and Elgin to include 155,000 SF new leasing space of mixed commercial and retail uses. The project will also include a new 400 car public garage. The Ion - The 16-acre and 266,000 square foot innovation district located in the former Sears department store hosts co-working space, business incubators, accelerators, restaurants, and retail. The first phase of the project was completed in 2021 and has a master plan to continue development in the areas bound by Isabella to the north, Wheeler to the south, Austin to the east, and Main to the west. The full 15 block redevelopment plan will continue the transformation of the area and add significant amounts of new mixed-use (commercial, retail, restaurant) in the area. TMC3 - This project is located south of the project limits in the Texas Medical Center and is importantly served by transit access to and from the project limits. The TMC3 project is underway now is composed of a 37-acre life science campus which includes: - 250,000-square-foot TMC3 Collaborative Building - 700,000-square-foot Industry Research Building - 521-room Hotel, 65,000-square-foot Conference Center - 350-unit Residential Tower - 6 Future Industry and Institutional Research Buildings - Mixed-use building with retail and ample parking - 7 acres of public space including 6 Parks Levit Green - Located at Holcombe and SH-288, and also importantly served by transit access to and from the project limits. The project will include over 4M SF of mixed uses to include lab and office space, incubator space, a vivarium, a conference center, cafe and restaurant space, and a fitness center. Wesley AME Church Redevelopment - The City of Houston is working with developer interests to build 70 new condo units at Emancipation and St. Charles to include mixed-use retail (grocer, pharmacy, food/beverage, etc.) elements.

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 project is composed of various elements, each providing a different level of treatment versus an unfunded and funded condition. This application compares the 'base' NHHIP condition (currently proposed by TxDOT without supplemental funding) versus a 'funded' condition which would be made possible via this grant application. Cleburne Cap - The unfunded condition does not include buffered and shaded bicycle and pedestrian facilities for the Cleburne or Almeda crossing. The funded condition will allow Cleburne to continue, via a new bridge or cap structure, across IH-69 to include shaded and buffered bicycle and pedestrian facilities. This Cleburne connection (which exists today) is not included in the current NHHIP environmental document. The funded condition will also provide shaded and buffered bicycle and pedestrian access along Almeda crossing IH-69, which will not be included in the unfunded condition. The improvements in the funded condition will improve traffic operations by retaining an existing minor arterial connection (at Cleburne) across IH-69 between Midtown and the Third Ward (including TSU and the University of Houston). This section of Cleburne carries approximately 2,000 ADT. The funded condition will also improve traffic operations by providing buffered and shaded bicycle and pedestrian accommodations along both Cleburne and Almeda. Note that Almeda is a transit corridor. Bridges Alabama Garden Bridge - The unfunded condition does not include buffered/shaded bicycle pedestrian facilities on this bridge. The funded condition will. Elgin Signature Bridge - The unfunded condition does not include buffered/shaded bicycle pedestrian facilities on this bridge. The funded condition will. McGowen Signature Bridge - The unfunded condition does not include buffered/shaded bicycle pedestrian facilities on this bridge. The funded condition will. Tuam Signature Bridge - The unfunded condition does not include buffered/shaded bicycle pedestrian facilities on this bridge. The funded condition will. Pertinent to the bridges, the funded condition will improve traffic operations by improving multimodal access, safety, and connectivity relative to the unfunded condition. Elgin and McGowen are transit corridors and the funded condition will enhance transit ridership, improving traffic operations by converting more SOV trips to transit trips. These improvements related to multimodal accessibility and connectivity will improve traffic operations.

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.

The project will enable the creation of shaded and buffered pedestrian and bicycle facilities at each location of the project (Cleburne, Almeda, Alabama, Elgin, McGowen, and Tuam). Presently, none of these facilities have bicycle accommodations. The crossings at Alabama, Caroline, Elgin, and Tuam also do not meet current City standards for sidewalk widths. Further, if the unfunded condition advances, the connection at Cleburne is not included in the current environmental documentation for the NHHIP project. The pedestrian and bicycle connections noted here are key connections to fixed route transit on Almeda and Elgin as well as to existing high capacity transit at Main Street and future high capacity transit via METRO's University Line at Wheeler/Richmond. The improvements possible through the funded condition will serve to 'reconnect' Midtown and the Third Ward in the future.

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

The access and connectivity made possible by the funded condition will support access and utilization of the following Houston METRO transit routes and their monthly boardings (as of October 2023) used for the route: 009 - Gulfton/Homan: 2,223 011 - Almeda/Lyons: 2,197 025 - Richmond: 6,419 Red Line Light Rail: 35,625 (average boardings at Wheeler, the closest station to the project, are 2,240) Future University Line BRT: Project not currently available. The intersection improvements and connectivity provided via the Cleburne connection will improve overall traffic with benefits that extend to public transportation operations.

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.

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.

120.52

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.

From 2018 to 2022, the project corridor experienced a total of 237 crashes, six of which were severe crashes, including one severe bike crash. All six severe crashes occurred either at or near intersections. The severe bike crash, that occurred under dark condition, was attributed to the driver's speeding, while the remaining five severe crashes resulted from drivers running traffic lights or stop signs. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, a set of improvements has been proposed: Cleburne Street and Almeda Street: • Restore Cleburne Street to enhance pedestrian, bike, and vehicle connectivity, re-establishing a connection between both sides of IH-69. • Construct new shared use paths on both sides of the street. • Install streetlights, ADA ramps, pavement markings, and high-visibility crosswalks on both bridges. • Incorporate amenities such as benches, landscaping, bus shelters, and other street or park furniture. Alabama Street, Elgin Street, Tuam Street, and McGowen Street • Improve pedestrian and bike connectivity by installing shared-use accommodations over IH-69. • Install streetlights, ADA ramps, pavement markings, and high-visibility crosswalks on all bridges. The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: Cleburne Street and Almeda Street: • 101, 401 Install Warning/Guide Signs & Install Pavement Markings 24% • 304, 407 Safety Lighting & Install Sidewalks 46% • 305, 407 Safety Lighting at Intersection & Install Sidewalks 53% • 305, 514 Safety Lighting at Intersection & Grade Separation 56% • 403, 407 Install Pedestrian Crosswalk & Install Sidewalks 74% Alabama Street, Elgin Street, Tuam Street, and McGowen Street: For pedestrian and bike crashes: • 101, 401 Install Warning/Guide Signs & Install Pavement Markings 24% • 304, 407 Safety Lighting & Install Sidewalks 46% • 305, 407 Safety Lighting at Intersection & Install Sidewalks 53% • 403, 407 Install Pedestrian Crosswalk & Install Sidewalks 74%

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.

High

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 project will allow for the installation of vegetation and trees within the Cleburne Cap area as well as along the bridge structures on Cleburne, Almeda, Alabama, Elgin, McGowen, and Tuam. The vegetation and street trees will provide natural stormwater mitigation in the area. This mitigation will be important to this section of the NHHIP, which will be a depressed section and will require pumps during severe rain events; the natural stormwater mitigation provided by the proposed improvements will offer some relief to this overall system. The unfunded condition will not offer any natural stormwater mitigation approaches.

Access/Connectivity

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

2611

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7090

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?

Yes

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

2611

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

7090

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

2843

1d. Disabled Persons

544

1e. Elderly Persons

291

1f. Limited English Proficiency

853

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.

38.4

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.

The project provides connectivity benefits to census tracts 48201312400, 48201312300, 48201312200, and 48201312800, all of which are designated by the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) as disadvantaged due to burdens related to transportation barriers, traffic proximity and volume, and socioeconomic factors such as income. The census block groups intersecting and surrounding the project are predominantly Hispanic and black and have poverty rates ranging from 25% to 57%. The project will benefit these vulnerable populations by: - Eliminating the historic barrier of IH-69 via the cap structures and the continuation of Cleburne across IH-69 - Providing bicycle accommodations at Cleburne, Almeda, and along the bridge elements of the project - Providing and/or improving pedestrian conditions along Cleburne, Almeda, and along the bridge elements of the project - Better connect the intersecting and surrounding underserved communities to existing and proposed fixed guideway and fixed route transit options in the area (routes identified in prior question)

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.

The project will directly address adverse impacts of the NHHIP project on the surrounding community. Adverse impacts addressed include: - reduction in bodily impairment/death via the provision of pedestrian and bicycle safety treatments within the project limits - destruction or diminution of aesthetic values; the unfunded 'base' NHHIP condition does not address the diminution of aesthetic values created by the perpetuation of a barrier (the freeway) through this community; the funded condition will address this by allowing the creation of the cap structure, preserving connectivity, and providing street/shade trees along the project limits - cohesion or economic vitality of a community; see above benefit / rationale for removing this segment of the IH-69 barrier via a cap structure and improvements to the related bridge scope elements - increased isolation, exclusion, or separation; see above benefit / rationale for removing this segment of the IH-69 barrier via a cap structure and improvements to the related bridge scope elements

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 100-year floodplain is not within ¼ mile of the proposed project. There are no wetlands within ¼ mile of the proposed project. While there are historic resources within ¼ mile of the proposed project, the closest is approximately 300 feet away. Based on distance, adverse impacts to historic resources will not occur. Within ¼ mile of the proposed project, the area has been designated by the TxDOT Potential Archeological Liability Map as “No Survey Recommended” for archeological resources. The cap structure is ultimately intended to be covered in greenspace and trees which will provide nature-based stormwater mitigation efforts.

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)

Over a 20-year planning horizon from 2026-2045, the project will reduce 1.18 metric tons of NOx and 1.44 metric tons of VOCs.

Innovation

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

Yes

1a. If yes, please explain.

The utilization of a freeway cap is a new infrastructure technology which has not yet been utilized in the Houston region and has only been utilized once previously in Texas (in Dallas). The utilization of a cap structure to eliminate a barrier, connect communities, provide nature-based stormwater mitigation solutions, and improve area access and connectivity is a novel approach to mitigating the impacts of highway (re)construction in Houston. As previously addressed in other questions, the project scope elements directly address accessibility (new bike/ped connections), mobility (preserving Cleburne connection), multimodalism (access to existing and proposed transit options), resiliency (greenspace), reliability (alternate routes), and traffic operations (additional route options, redundancy, and bike/ped/transit access and connectivity improvements).

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