Realign crossing of FM 787 at the Trinity River to address river migration threat.
Timeframe
Medium Term (6-10 Years)
Estimated Cost
$27,000,000.00
Investment Category-Focused Criteria
Roadway
Major Collector
FM 787 relocates the existing FM 787 bridge north of the existing location where the bend in the river is not as pronounced. This will help reduce future impact of already existing scour at the existing bridge location. The proposed project will reduce inoperability associated with damage to the existing bridge through constructing at a new location where scour is minimal along the banks of the Trinity River. This helps avert a larger impact if the existing bridge had any failures during its operation.
FM 787 connects to SH 146 to the east and US 59 to the West, both of which are hurricane evacuation routes. This bridge is the only crossing in the area over the Trinity River, providing a vital connection over the Trinity River and access to multiple evacuation routes during hurricanes.
Other Investment Category Focused Criteria
No
FM 787 improves regional goods movement through maintaining a key east-west connection. Current FM 787 bridge is experiencing scour at the existing crossing of Trinity River. The new bridge will be located at a location with minimal scour and maintain vital route for the movement of truck traffic.
FM 787 bridge maintains the east-west connection across the Trinity River north of SH 105. This helps accessibility between existing communities in north Liberty County as it continues to experience growth.
The proposed project improves traffic operations through improving the resiliency of the existing roadway and reducing major infrastructure impacts from the scouring on Trinity River. Traffic will be able to be maintained and operability maintained with the proposed project.
The proposed project typical section provides for wide outside shoulders to accommodate bike users of the facility.
No existing or planned transit service is provided on this facility.
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.
13.656
40.968
The proposed project improves safety by providing a typical section with wide outside shoulders, good sight distance and a new pavement surface improving traction and rideability on FM 787.
Resiliency
Low
Low
The proposed project relocates the existing FM 787 bridge across Trinity River. This would reduce scour impacts to the bridge and the design would reduce the vulnerability to flooding as it would be built to current hydrologic and hydraulic design standards. It would be designed to meet or exceed ATLAS-14 drainage standards. Specific improvements may include additional cross drainage capacity and possibly raising the proposed roadway profile if determined necessary by the hydraulic analysis.
Access/Connectivity
1960
1355
No
No
No
Environmental Justice
1960
1355
971
583
202
187
34.4
By ensuring the connection over Trinity River, the proposed project should maintain existing traffic while improving safety through wider shoulders, new pavement surface and updated design meeting the latest design standards.
The footprint of the proposed roadway improvements would be minimized to help prevent impacts to adjacent properties, thus reducing any possible displacements of persons, businesses, etc. The current roadway usage would not change with the proposed construction project. The relocation of the bridge would maintain access to adjacent properties including public and private facilities and services with less impact to the flow of traffic than currently occurs. Any sound walls that are identified prior/during the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process will be constructed on this project.
Impacts on Natural and Cultural Resources
Floodplains present in the project vicinity include the 100 year, 500 year, and a floodway. In addition, some wetlands are present. During project development, wetland information is provided to the design team to determine where the project might impact Waters of the U.S. (WOUS). The design is adjusted if possible to avoid and minimize impacts to WOUS. Any unavoidable impacts are mitigated through USACE approved mitigation banks. With regard to the floodplains present, the project would be designed to have no negative impact to the floodplain and we would coordinate with the floodplain administrator concerning these.
No historical sites are located within the project limits and no archeological sites are believed to be present. A thorough investigation into cultural resources is conducted during project development and, if present, the locations are provided to the design team to avoid. Review and coordination of this project would follow approved procedures for compliance with Federal and State laws.
713-627-3200
