Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Authorizing the City Manager to Request the Release of FM 3038 from the State Highway System from US 75 to 1,200 Feet West of Hardin Boulevard
Summary
MEETING DATE: September 3, 2013
DEPARTMENT: Development Services / Engineering
CONTACT: Matt Richardson, P.E., CIP Manager
Gary Graham, P.E., PTOE, Transportation Engineering Manager
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
· Approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
· This Resolution authorizes the City Manager to request the release of FM 3038 from the state highway system from US 75 to 1,200 feet west of Hardin Boulevard.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
- FM 3038 runs concurrent with Virginia Parkway from US 75 to approximately 1,200 feet west of Hardin Boulevard, a total distance of approximately 9,500 feet.
- Traffic volumes on FM 3038 / Virginia Parkway currently exceed 25,000 vehicles per day, which is near capacity for a four-lane roadway, and will continue to grow as in-fill development continues along the corridor.
- On March 16, 2012, City Council passed a Resolution stating that widening this segment of roadway was a high-priority transportation project for the City, along with widening Stacy Road and constructing the new alignment of FM 546.
- The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) currently has no plans and no funding to make significant improvements to this segment of roadway to meet the projected traffic demands.
- The City has proposed funding in the five-year Capital Improvement Plan to widen this roadway to six lanes: design in FY2013, right-of-way acquisition in FY2014, and construction in FY2015.
- TxDOT project procedures and design standards would result in higher costs and longer schedules for all phases of project development when compared to a standard City project, as shown in the following table:
Phase |
On-System (TxDOT) |
Off-System (City) |
Environmental & Engineering |
24-30 months $2.0 million |
15-18 months $1.2 million |
Right-of-Way & Utilities |
18-24 months $4.1 million |
12-15 months $1.0 million |
Construction |
15-18 months $8.5 million |
12-15 months $8.4 million* |
Total |
4 ¾ - 6 years $14.6 million |
3 ¼ - 4 years $10.6 million |
* Note: alternative design scenarios exist that may enable a further reduction in construction cost for an off-system roadway
- While the initial widening costs favor an off-system approach, removing FM 3038 from the state highway system would result in on-going roadway maintenance costs for the City. This section of roadway was inspected recently and found to be in good condition.
- City staff compared the initial savings to the long-term maintenance costs as shown in the attached financial summary. It was determined that taking the roadway off-system would cost the City $1.7 million in 2013 dollars over a 25-year planning horizon.
- There are various intangible benefits associated with removing the roadway from the state highway system, including:
- flexibility with roadway design elements;
- flexibility with setting speed limits and school zones;
- flexibility with access management for adjacent properties; and
- improved responsiveness to citizen concerns.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
- Design for widening this segment of Virginia Parkway as an off-system roadway is currently funded in the FY2013 Capital Improvement Plan (ST1219).
- Right-of-way acquisition and construction for this segment of Virginia Parkway as an off-system roadway are proposed for funding in FY2014 and FY2015 of the Capital Improvement Plan (ST1219).
- The City has been awarded $2.4 million in Region Toll Revenue (RTR) funding for the design and right-of-way acquisition for this segment of Virginia Parkway and expects to be awarded an additional $4.7 million in RTR funding for construction.
- Due to high regional demand for transportation funding dollars, staff does not anticipate that additional RTR dollars will be available to fund any increases in the project cost.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
· N/A