Transportation Project Questionnaire

Resiliency and State of Good Repair Questionnaire

Project Information

Agency Name	City of West Columbia, TX
Project Title	West Columbia Roadway State of Good Repair
Facility/Street/Highway	Various locally owned and maintained roads within the City limits, a supplemental list can be provided outside of this spreadsheet.
Limits	Various limits.
Description	Design and reconstruction of approximately 8.61 lane miles of roads within the City. The scope of work is limited to roadway reconstruction, pavement markings, hydromulch, and incidental reconstruction/replacement of driveways and drainage within existing rights-of-way.
Timeframe	Short Term (0-5 Years)
Estimated Cost	$5,261,200.00

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:

None of the Above

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

The proposed project is an outcome of the pavement assessment study undertaken by the City in 2022. The assessment is being utilized by the City to prioritize roadway rehabilitation efforts. The City is in the process of developing a transportation asset management plan to maintain a record of the reconstructed streets. The pavement assessment is included in supporting documentation. This project will reconstruct a large portion of the City's local streets and mitigate the possibility of any of the segments being inoperable due to state of repair issues. System infrastructure safety is severely compromised by the existing poor state of repair, exhibited by widespread pavement failures noted in the City's pavement assessment. This project is an essential solution for public safety and road operability. Additionally, once constructed, the new streets will provide adequate detour options in the event any other street segment becomes unusable for any reason. Traffic projections show an annual growth rate of 2-2.5% and 3-10% truck percentages. With current 7,000-17,000 ADT on the highways, the local and spillover traffic on City streets will require better pavement conditions to avoid road closures due to damage or accidents. Reconstructed local streets will also provide some relief to congestion on the main thoroughfares. As TxDOT is upgrading SH 36 through the City to provide greater capacity and level of service, likewise new local streets will provide dependable alternative routes through the City, connecting to SH 35 and other roads leading in or out of the City. These alternative routes will provide essential operations capability in and through the City in the event a portion of the primary thoroughfares is disabled.

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.

3375

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

> 50 years (originally constructed in 1960s)

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

Poor

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

No

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

No

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.

The project is adjacent to SH 36, a major evacuation route. By reconstructing several key linking local street segments, this project can provide a reliable secondary evacuation route through the City during emergencies. Should there be a major incident at the intersection of SH 36 and SH 35, for example, the City's streets can be used to bypass the problem area.

Other Investment Category Focused Criteria

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

No

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.

Several of the local streets to be reconstructed connect to the main thoroughfares and support truck traffic serving local businesses. While not on the designated truck routes, these streets provide truck access throughout the City and augment the adjacent freight corridors of SH 35 & SH 36. Reconstructing the streets will facilitate truck access to local businesses and serve as a catalyst for future commercial growth, as these routes are crucial for first-and-last mile freight and logistics delivery.

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 City of West Columbia is seeing an uptick in population growth since 2010. Socioeconomic data projects that jobs and households in Brazoria County will grow by 25% from 2020 to 2045. TxDOT is currently working on upgrades to SH 35 and SH 36 through the City to handle the expected growth throughout the County. The City has observed a steady increase in new utility accounts, reflecting new residential and commercial establishments. These new developments in and around the City signify an expanding economic vitality. Just northeast of the City, the Columbia Lakes subdivision, currently at 70% buildout, has consistently drawn new residents over the last five years. These families, with more on the way, will be using all the community facilities in the City, including the local streets. Columbia-Brazoria Independent School District is initiating an expansion of its high school to serve the growing student body. The school plans on tearing down 80% of its existing buildings to upgrade and expand its facilities which currently serve about 900 high school students. This remodel will add at least 25% more classroom space to accommodate the future population. The City's local streets have never been rebuilt and now many are in such a poor state of repair that they discourage further growth. They have not been reconstructed in many years, having instead been overlaid with asphalt over existing pavement or subgrade. Over time, this has led to many areas of recurring pavement failures and unnecessarily elevated road surfaces that have contributed to street or localized neighborhood flooding. The City has determined a significant portion, 26%, of its street network is in poor condition, having reached the end of its useful life. The projected 2.5% annual increase in traffic on the highways passing through will have spillover growth effects on the City streets. The City's and County's pavement maintenance is able to extend the useful lives of good condition streets, but is not enough to adequately improve those in poor condition. This project will reconstruct local roadways to support and sustain more commerce and residents. These efforts will help modernize the City's infrastructure on par with its neighbors and allow it to adequately serve the growing population. This project will help the City renew the life cycle of a majority of its street network to be able to handle the projected growth.

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.

Reconstruction of these roadways will improve traffic operations by addressing maintenance, reliability, and safety issues associated with the pavement conditions. A key public benefit of roadway reconstruction is the reduction of total vehicle operating and maintenance costs for all users on assessed road segments. This project, in reconstructing local streets currently in poor or worse condition, will improve traffic operations by optimizing ride quality and eliminating user costs associated with operating vehicles on rough or failing pavement. Additional planning considerations related to the state of repair of these roadways include travel time reliability and infrastructure safety. Poor condition streets require more frequent repairs and lane closures, thus increasing the public's travel time. Deteriorating streets are characterized by low skid values and hazardous pavement defects, which contribute to degraded safety conditions.

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.

This project will reconstruct existing sidewalks within the right-of-way and as a result will provide new pedestrian infrastructure within the City. Existing sidewalks along the City's poor condition roadways have also deteriorated beyond their useful lives. New sidewalks will help provide safe access from residences to churches and commercial areas near the intersection of SH 35 and SH 36. These sidewalks will also connect to existing sidewalks to help pedestrians and bicyclists gain safe access to the grocery stores, pharmacies, schools, and parks located along these highways.

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

Currently, the City's transit service is limited to a demand response system and a non-profit-run Meals on Wheels program. However, this project addresses the future growth conditions that may include a return of fixed route transit service. It will not only enhance the pavement conditions but also significantly improve the reliability and accessibility of the city's transportation network for all users. These improvements will facilitate easier access across the City, benefiting a wide range of users including those who rely on public transit and community services. This will ensure a more inclusive and efficient transportation system, catering to the needs of all residents and visitors.

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

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.

66.35

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.

Between 2018 to 2022, a total of 36 crashes occurred on the project corridor, resulting in one severe crash which was a severe bike crash that occurred due to driver inattention. To address the safety concerns of this roadway, a set of proposed improvements has been proposed: • Constructing new roadway pavement • Install or improve pavement markings, crosswalks along all roadway segments • Replacing roadway signs, repairing sidewalk, and upgrading all ramps to ADA compliant ramps as needed along all roadway segments The proposed improvements correspond to various work codes, each with its own associated crash reduction rate: •Work Code 101, 401 Install Warning/Guide Signs, Install Pavement Markings with 24% crash reduction rate •Work Code 303 Resurfacing with 30% crash reduction rate •Work Code 303, 401 Resurfacing, Install Pavement Markings with 50% crash reduction rate •Work Code 403 Install Pedestrian Crosswalk with 10% crash reduction rate

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.

Low

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.

This project's improvements will optimize the local street network's stormwater capacity. Removing existing layers of asphalt overlay and replacing them with new asphalt surfacing at the original elevation of the roadway will increase the capacity of the roadway to convey runoff to nearby drainage channels. Additionally, the reconstruction will include the necessary reshaping of ditches within the right-of-way, further improving conveyance along the roadways. The project includes additional strategic drainage improvements where existing facilities may be causing constrictions in flow. In all, by ensuring consistent stormwater handling along its streets, this project will reduce the risk of ponding or flooding in the City and its neighborhoods.

Access/Connectivity

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

3040

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

2821

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

Yes

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

3040

1b. Hispanic and Non-Hispanic Minorities

2821

1c. Household Population Under Poverty

328

1d. Disabled Persons

727

1e. Elderly Persons

401

1f. Limited English Proficiency

485

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.

22.4

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.

This project will replace poor condition local streets and existing sidewalks in the City that serve school-aged children. New pavement and sidewalks will enhance the safety of the children going to or coming from school. The new pavement on local streets will create safer and more efficient routes for all users, including vehicles, pedestrians (such as young students), and bicyclists. Street reconstruction that includes streetlighting and accessible pedestrian crossings enhances safety. These improvements contribute to a more inclusive, accessible, and safer urban environment, particularly for students and other vulnerable community members who rely on walking as their primary mode of transportation.

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.

This project has no adverse effects to vulnerable populations. The list of adverse effects from the detailed criteria and comments are listed below: - Body impairment, infirmity, illness, or death: This project will improve safety for all users - Air, noise, or water pollution; soil contamination: This project will not result in additional pollution. - Disruption or diminution of manmade or natural resources: This project will not affect manmade or natural resources. - Destruction or diminution of aesthetic values: This project will improve aesthetic values through roadways and sidewalks in better condition. - Impact upon the cohesion or economic vitality of a community: This project will increase economic vitality and cohesion of the community through improved access, connectivity, and safety. - Impact to public or private facilities and services: This project will have a positive impact to public and private facilities or services by improving access and connectivity. - Adverse impacts on employment: This project will create short-term jobs through construction and improve access and connectivity throughout the City, positively impacting employment. - Displacement of persons, businesses, farms, or non-profit organizations: No additional right of way is required and there will be no displacement. - Increased traffic congestion, exclusion or separation: The improvements will alleviate congestion and promote connectivity. Construction will be phased to avoid causing substantial delays. - Detail or, reduction in, significant delay in receipt of benefits of transportation program: This project is in alignment with local, regional, state and federal goals. The project, if funded, will advance the receipt of benefits of the regional transportation program. A Preliminary NEPA assessment will be conducted for the project. The project is anticipated to meet the criteria for a Categorical Exclusion (CE) finding, given no expected adverse consequences.

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.

A small segment of the project on Mocking Bird Drive is in the 500-year flood plain, and there are portions of the 100-year flood plain within ¼ mile of the proposed project. There is some residential and commercial development in this area but many adjacent parcels are cleared, vacant, or undeveloped. The scope of work is limited to roadway reconstruction, including pedestrian safety elements and landscaping, and incidental reconstruction/replacement of driveways and drainage within existing rights-of-way, so it is not anticipated to adversely affect flooding. Coordination with the appropriate flood control agency will take place as needed. While there are designated wetlands within a quarter mile of the proposed project, the project alignment does not cross any wetlands; therefore, no adverse impacts are anticipated. The project is adjacent to two historic cemeteries and multiple historical markers. Because all work will take place within the existing right-of-way, these resources are not expected to be impacted, but review and concurrence from the State Historic Preservation Office will likely be required. Much of the project is in areas where some degree of surface survey is recommended for archeological resources. Because all work will take place within the existing right-of-way, archeological resources are not expected to be impacted, but an archeological survey may be required.

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 0.09 metric tons of NOx and 0.12 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?

No

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

No

Additional Documents

772_WestColumbiaSOGR_SupportingDocs.pdf