Title
Conduct a Public Hearing to Consider/Discuss/Act on a Resolution Identifying a Proposed Laud Howell Parkway Alignment from Trinity Falls Parkway to FM1461/Lake Forest Drive
Summary
COUNCIL GOAL: Direction for Strategic and Economic Growth
MEETING DATE: May 3, 2016
DEPARTMENT: Development Services/Engineering
CONTACT: Gary Graham, PE, CIP and Transportation Engineering Manager
Nick Ataie, PE, CIP Engineer
RECOMMENDED CITY COUNCIL ACTION:
• Staff recommends approval of the Resolution.
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Halff Associates, Inc. (Halff) has been working with City Staff and the public to evaluate several different feasible alignments of Laud Howell Parkway from Trinity Falls Parkway to FM1461/Lake Forest Drive including several bridge options for a future crossing over Honey Creek.
• Based on a detailed evaluation of each alignment and bridge option, Halff and City Staff are recommending the approval of a Resolution identifying the proposed (Hybrid) alignment of Laud Howell Parkway from Trinity Falls Parkway to FM1461/Lake Forest Drive which provides the least impact to adjacent property owners while providing the best opportunity for strategic and economic growth of the Northwest Sector based on recent and ongoing updates to the Comprehensive Plan.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• In 2009, the City Council approved an alignment for Laud Howell Parkway from US 75 to FM 1461/Lake Forest Drive.
• Over the past six years, the City has developed a sector plan for the northwest sector and property ownership along the approved alignment has changed.
• In an effort to provide the most appropriate location for this principal arterial with regard to development within the northwest sector as well as crossing the Honey Creek floodplain, a comprehensive review of alignment alternatives is needed.
• In January 2016, City Staff obtained a consulting firm, Halff Associates (Halff), to evaluate potential changes to the approved alignment of Laud Howell Parkway from Trinity Falls Parkway to FM1461/Lake Forest Drive.
• The alignment study has evaluated four possible alignments for Laud Howell Parkway from Trinity Falls Parkway to FM1461/Lake Forest Drive. The evaluations included project costs, impacts to property owners along the corridor, environmental impacts, and maximizing the land use in the area. The length of the roadway is approximately 3.5 miles.
• Laud Howell Parkway will require the crossing of Honey Creek. The Northwest Sector Study calls for a gateway structure to be developed at this crossing. The study has identified a preferred concept for the gateway structure.
• On March 14, 2016, Halff provided an overview to Council of the project alignment study which included three alignment concepts and several bridge aesthetic design concepts. Council approved direction to proceed with a Public Meeting and continued development of the study.
• On March 31, 2016, a Public Meeting was held to gain input from the residents surrounding the area on the developed concepts. The meeting was attended by over 60 property owners and several written comments were provided and documented.
• On April 18, 2016, Halff provided an update to Council on the study including a summary of public input received and a detailed evaluation of each of the alignments and bridge options considered.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• Estimated project cost of $49.6 million has been determined as part of the study including construction of Laud Howell Parkway as a 6-lane divided roadway (P6D Classification) from the current terminus at Trinity Falls Parkway to Honey Creek, and as a 4-lane (future 6-lane) divided roadway from Honey Creek to FM 1461/Lake Forest Drive. This cost includes design, right-of-way, and construction and does not assume any right-of-way donations. Actual costs for the construction of Laud Howell Parkway will be determined through the design process.
• The current CIP (ST) budget has allocated $19.5 million for design, right-of-way, and construction of Laud Howell Parkway.
• Based on available project funding, a phased construction of Laud Howell Parkway may be implemented starting from its current terminus at Trinity Falls Parkway working westward.
BOARD OR COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION:
• N/A