2019 TxDOT UTP summary and highlights (with surprise new projects)

Started by MaxConcrete, July 21, 2018, 08:56:26 PM

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MaxConcrete

https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/division/transportation-planning/utp.html

(This has been updated and corrected on 7/22 and 7/25)
The Draft 2019 Unified Transportation Program is online and is on the agenda for this month's commission meeting.

The UTP lists all projects approved for constuction in the next 10 years, and groups them into three groups (1,2 and 3) based on project ranking score. Presumably ranking tier 1 has highest priority. These projects in the UTP have a very high probably of being built, and will be built unless there is a funding disruption or individual projects can't get environmental clearance.

Since I mentioned the surprise, I'll start with it.

San Antonio:
Newly listed  $720 million project for 6 express lanes on IH 35 in northeast San Antonio from Loop 410 to FM 3009 in Comal County, about 10 miles, ranking tier=1
The lanes are listed as non-toll, with two of the lanes HOV. The lanes will be elevated based on the recommended plan. However, the recommend plan has only 4 express lanes, so I'm thinking a supplemental environmental study will be needed
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/projects/studies/san-antonio/i35-ne-sat-pel.html

$409 million to widen IH 10 east of San Antonio to 3x3 from Loop 1604 to SH 130 east of Seguin.
$100 million for phase 1 of the interchange at Loop 410 and IH 10 in east San Antonio

$508 million for the tolled managed lanes on Loop 1604 in Northwest San Antonio from SH 16 to US 281. This is one of the very few toll projects in the plan (only other one I recall is SH 550 in the Valley region)

Numerous projects for widening of Loop 410, Loop 1604 and SH 151

Houston:
Surprise #2: The SH 35 Freeway southeast of downtown is a newly added project. However, the direct connectors at Loop 610 are currently not included, and the project funding seems low
$84 million: freeway main lanes and frontage roads to Bellfort

The massive downtown project is now fully funded, with the last remaining section officially approved, the $200 million downtown connector on the west side of downtown.
7 projects listed at $3.07 billion. It is currently slated to be mostly design-build (all except IH 69 between Spur 527 and SH 288) with all work underway by late 2020.

However, the project from downtown northward is not included in the UTP, so as of now it would not proceed until after 2030.

$565 million to complete the widening of IH 45 to 4x4 in Galveston County into Galveston.

$116 million to build direct connectors at SH 225 and BW 8. I read a report that the Harris County Toll Road Authority is providing some or all of the funding for that project.

$405 million to widen IH 10 west of Houston to 3x3 to SH 71 in Columbus. This seems like a priority project with the next phase ($114 million) going to bid in a couple weeks (but is not included in the $405 million figure)
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2019/austin.htm#027102049

$240 million for IH 69 in Wharton County southwest of Houston, to upgrade US 59 to interstate standards. This should move forward relatively soon.

Dallas
Surprise #3: The widening of Interstate 30 from downtown (IH 35E) to Bass Pro is now approved as ranking tier 1. This will rebuild and widen the downtown Canyon, and according to reports the elevated freeway east of downtown will be sunk into a trench. But this project faces opposition and still has substantial environmental study, so this would be for the 2025-2030 period and could be subject to delays or changes.
$1.16 billion, IH-35E to Bass Pro

Most near-term funding is going to the estimated $1.4 billion IH 635 east project, which should begin next year

$420 million for the interchange at SH 183/Loop 12/SH 114, ranking tier=1. (The former Texas Stadium site) This project was recently given priority by the regional commission, and has all needed approvals and right-of-way, and it is currently slated to go to bid in July 2019
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/let/2019/dallas.htm#058102124

$139 million for the new Loop 9 between IH 35E and IH 45. This amount will cover only one side of the frontage roads.

IH 35E north from IH 635 to Denton: $1.7 billion for three projects with ranking tier=1 to complete the overall plan. Since the interim plan was just recently completed and this would involve tearing out much of the interim work, I'm inclined to think this project will proceed toward the end of the 10-year period, with the I-30 work proceeding first.

Currently there is nothing included for the Collin County freeway plan, including US 380 in Collin County. I expect projects to be added when a firm plan is made.

$359 million to widen IH 35 to 3x3 between Denton and Gainesville

Fort Worth
$428 million to complete the SH 199 freeway including connections to IH 820, and also rebuild/widen the arterial street inside Loop 820
Around $1.5 billion for the southeast Fort Worth Connector project (IH 20/IH 820/US 287). Officials are expediting this project so it should move forward as soon as environmental studies can be finished
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/fort-worth/071918.html
$631 million to rebuild and widen IH 30 in west Fort Worth
$31 million to construct the unbuilt direct connectors at IH 820 and the Chisholm Trail Parkway toll road

Austin:
$232 million for overpasses on Loop 360 to eliminate intersections, ranking tier=2
$162 million for upgrading SH 71 to freeway standards east of Austin
$440 million for the Oak Hill Y (US 290 in southwest Austin), ranking tier =1 . I think this will be the highest priority.
$2.5 billion for IH 35 express lanes through Travis County. This funding amount is lower than other reported estimates, and since there is not even a plan right now, this is probably many years in the future. The lanes are listed as non-tolled managed lanes, but that is also subject to change in my opinion.

Amarillo
$247 million for Loop 335, mostly frontage roads but also some main lanes

East Texas IH 369
$154 million for the Marshall Bypass

Beaumont
$500 million for widening IH 10 through Beaumont

Bryan/College Station
$216 million to widen the SH 6 freeway

IH 45 North of Houston at Huntsville
$410 million for widening including collector-distributor lanes through Huntsville. I think this could move forward quickly, a public hearing is currently scheduled which is usually the last step before a ROD is issued.
https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/bryan/080918.html

El Paso
$269 million to upgrade 7 miles US 62 to a freeway in East El Paso, from Global Reach to Zaragoza. Phase 1 is frontage roads and grade separations, phase 2 is the main lanes.
$148 million to widen IH 10 to 3x3 from northwest El Paso to the state line. This is overdue because New Mexico has widened the freeway to 3x3
$133 million to widen 2x2 sections of Loop 375 to 3x3

IH 69 north of Houston
$158 million for the Corrigan Bypass. This should proceed to construction soon
$142 million for the Diboll Bypss
$68 million to upgrade to freeway north of Cleveland. This should proceed soon

Even with these projects, most of US 59/IH 69 will not meet freeway standards from north of Livingston to Lufkin

Tyler IH 20
$225 million to widen 20 miles to 3x3. This is a new project in this year's UTP

IH 69 South Texas
Numerous projects on US 281 and US 77, I did not add them all up. These project will eliminate many intersections but still won't achieve uninterrupted interstate standards
www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com


DJStephens

Money to burn. 

   Regarding El Paso/Montana Avenue corridor:  Would suspect that $145 mill. figure is for six or seven very basic overpasses at current intersections.   Nothing much else, existing pavement between them - recently restriped and slightly widened, would be reused.   Guessing labor costs that close to the border make a $10 ? 15? million basic diamond interchange (six lanes wide) possible.  Maybe they will tone down the architectural frills.   
   A cheap overpass was placed several years ago at Montana (US 62 / 180)  and Zaragosa Rd.  It was "shifted" off the alignment, even though adjacent empty land was available.  In order to move the frontage/exit ramp outwards.   
Cheap.   Build it right the first time, instead.

rte66man

Does the plan to widen 35 to 3x3 north from Denton to Gainesville include some of the new alignment north of Sanger or are they just widening the existing roadway?
When you come to a fork in the road... TAKE IT.

                                                               -Yogi Berra

rte66man

Also very disappointed not to see more funding for 69 north of Houston. 
When you come to a fork in the road... TAKE IT.

                                                               -Yogi Berra

MaxConcrete

Quote from: DJStephens on July 22, 2018, 12:33:47 AM
   Regarding El Paso/Montana Avenue corridor:  Would suspect that $145 mill. figure is for six or seven very basic overpasses at current intersections.   

It turns out you are correct, and my summary included an error for this project because I missed the second project on US 62.

The first project for $122 million is the frontage roads and grade separations at intersections. The second project for $147 million is for the main lanes.
www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com

DJStephens

$269 million.  A more plausible number.  Thanks for clarifying.   

Plutonic Panda

They are getting serious about widening I-10 to six lanes between SA and Houston. They will have about half of it completed when the current planned project finishes.

Glad to see I-35 widened to Gainesville. I know I had heard they plan on widening it to 4x4 all the way to the Winstar casino eventually as part of their master plan. It included a realignment in the hilly section just south of the Oklahoma state line. I believe at some point they are supposed to do some work on red river bridges, but I'm unaware of the scope of that project.

MaxConcrete

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on July 22, 2018, 03:29:58 PM
They are getting serious about widening I-10 to six lanes between SA and Houston. They will have about half of it completed when the current planned project finishes.

On the San Antonio side, it is slated to be widened to 3x3 to SH 130. (I did not list all projects, the post would have been too long.)

So that would leave 78 miles of 2x2 between Houston and San Antonio.
www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com

Plutonic Panda

Quote from: MaxConcrete on July 22, 2018, 04:02:44 PM
Quote from: Plutonic Panda on July 22, 2018, 03:29:58 PM
They are getting serious about widening I-10 to six lanes between SA and Houston. They will have about half of it completed when the current planned project finishes.

On the San Antonio side, it is slated to be widened to 3x3 to SH 130. (I did not list all projects, the post would have been too long.)

So that would leave 78 miles of 2x2 between Houston and San Antonio.
Getting it down! The next logical interstate expansion would be I-45 between Dallas and Houston.

I will be sorting the individual projects... I take it your still not a fan of the Austin I-35 toll/express lane project or just the tunnel?

Chris

$ 120 million for the I-30 frontage roads between Bass Pro Drive and Dalrock Road, that must be the most expensive set of frontage roads in Texas? They will span the western half of Lake Ray Hubbard. The project is just over a mile long.

wxfree

Quote from: DJStephens on July 22, 2018, 12:33:47 AM
Money to burn...

That does seem to be the case. One of the minute orders this month will cancel a bunch of pass through agreements and pay them off in lump sums.  This will save the interest in future years, so is probably financially sound, but it does seem to show that TxDOT is more confident in their financial standing.
I'd like to buy a vowel, Alex.  What is E?

rte66man

Quote from: Plutonic Panda on July 22, 2018, 08:10:54 PM
Getting it down! The next logical interstate expansion would be I-45 between Dallas and Houston.

TxDOT seems to be doing that on a consistent basis already.  They are about to complete widening to 3x3 from the north Corsicana exit to south of Streetman.  They've also started 3x3 widening north from the Montgomery County line to the south edge of Huntsville. Pics are from March 2018:

S/B near Streetman


S/B south of Huntsville


N/B near Huntsville
When you come to a fork in the road... TAKE IT.

                                                               -Yogi Berra

sparker

I guess that takes care of much of that $1.1B "bump" cited in another thread.  Let's see:  I-69 gets some, mostly SW of Houston and in the King Ranch area, the central Houston realignment gets a big chunk -- and the rest of that area seems to have garnered an outsized chunk of cash as well,  DFW gets their usual upgrade share, and I-20 gets expansion money -- although for a section much farther east than I would have initially guessed.  But some of the "surprises" mentioned aren't all that surprising -- I-35 between SA and San Marcos has always been a problem, as the presence of Toll 130 doesn't seem to have alleviated the problem; starting to address it from I-410 north seems to be an appropriate start.   Also, I-30 east of downtown Dallas is another longstanding chokepoint; addressing it is long overdue.  What does come as a surprise are two things, none of which should have surprised me considering the demographics: the SH 35 expansion south of Houston and the initial freeway development on US 62 east of El Paso.  Both are obviously prompted by very rapid population growth in the areas served; SH 35 is likely envisioned as an alternate corridor to SH 288, which is, according to my cousin who lives in Clute, a "hot mess" at peak times for anyone attempting that commute (the growth around Lake Jackson has been astounding!).  Likewise east of central El Paso; the topographic reality (not to mention the Rio Grande border) of El Paso is that the Montana Ave. corridor is one of the few places amenable to large-scale development in the area unless over the state line toward Las Cruces; the nascent freeway is simply addressing that situation.  But also surprising is the advancement of the I-369 Marshall bypass to near-term construction; that shows the clout of the I-69 backers (they were also able to eke out a few bucks for the segment north of Houston).  Other outlying corridor concepts didn't fare so well; the only thing that could be construed as benefiting any of those would be the expansion of the TX 6 corridor at Bryan (the likely local path of I-14 in that area).  IMO, even with the "surprises" of new corridors out to the 'burbs, it looks like TXDOT is indeed trying to address longstanding needs rather than simply do political bidding.  I would have expected, as I mentioned in another thread, some attention to I-20 west of DFW -- but even $1B+ only goes so far in a place as large as Texas! 

Bobby5280

Regarding the Montana Ave freeway project in El Paso, that's something that has been in the works for a long time. The planned freeway segment between Global Reach Drive and Zaragosa will be a good start. IMHO, the western reach of the freeway really should have at least extended to McRae Blvd (where there is enough ROW for a grade-separated diamond interchange). Ultimately the western reaches of the freeway would optimally connect to El Paso Intl Airport and I-10.

MaxConcrete

Quote from: Bobby5280 on July 24, 2018, 10:29:02 AM
Regarding the Montana Ave freeway project in El Paso, that's something that has been in the works for a long time. The planned freeway segment between Global Reach Drive and Zaragosa will be a good start.

There is a public meeting and hearing on August 2 for this project. A public hearing is normally held near the end of the public involvement process. The project description has freeway main lanes from Global Reach to Zaragoza, as listed in the UTP. Two direct connectors are planned at Global Reach, and four at Loop 375.

https://www.txdot.gov/inside-txdot/get-involved/about/hearings-meetings/el-paso/080218.html

The announcement says 141 acres of right-of-way is needed, which is a substantial requirement. (It is equivalent to a rectangle a quarter mile wide and about 0.9 miles long). However, displacements are minimal for the amount of land involved since the land on the north side is mostly vacant.
www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com

longhorn


Bobby5280

It doesn't look like it according to these plans. It's a little surprising I-10 drops down to just 2 lanes in each direction immediately East of the I-410 loop. There is plenty of room to add 1 or even 2 lanes in each direction on I-10 between I-410 and the TX-130 interchange. Of course, such projects cost lots of money though.

MaxConcrete

Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 09:51:27 AM
Are they expanding I-10 from SAT to Seguin? 3X3 lanes?

Yes, there is $409 million allocated to widen IH 10 to 3x3 from Loop 1604 to SH 130, all work with ranking tier=1. However, it appears that the section from the Guadalupe/Bexar county line to US 90 may not be funded yet.
There is also $100 million for the Loop 410/IH 10 interchange in east San Antonio. That's enough for "phase 1 priority connectors".

Widening between IH 410 and Loop 1604 is already in progress with a $120 million contract awarded in May
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/bidtab/05013001.htm#002502160
www.DFWFreeways.com
www.HoustonFreeways.com

longhorn

Quote from: MaxConcrete on July 25, 2018, 10:53:18 AM
Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 09:51:27 AM
Are they expanding I-10 from SAT to Seguin? 3X3 lanes?

Yes, there is $409 million allocated to widen IH 10 to 3x3 from Loop 1604 to SH 130, all work with ranking tier=1. However, it appears that the section from the Guadalupe/Bexar county line to US 90 may not be funded yet.
There is also $100 million for the Loop 410/IH 10 interchange in east San Antonio. That's enough for "phase 1 priority connectors".

Widening between IH 410 and Loop 1604 is already in progress with a $120 million contract awarded in May
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/bidtab/05013001.htm#002502160


Good to know, TxDot wants the I-10 to I30 to be an alternate to taking I-35 between SAT and AUS. Expanding I-10 to three lanes and finishing up whatever lane rebuild is going on on I30 between I-10 and 45 will help make it a serious alternate. If you don't mind the tolls

DJStephens

Quote from: Bobby5280 on July 24, 2018, 10:29:02 AM
Regarding the Montana Ave freeway project in El Paso, that's something that has been in the works for a long time. The planned freeway segment between Global Reach Drive and Zaragosa will be a good start. IMHO, the western reach of the freeway really should have at least extended to McRae Blvd (where there is enough ROW for a grade-separated diamond interchange). Ultimately the western reaches of the freeway would optimally connect to El Paso Intl Airport and I-10.

   There is clearly visible older preserved ROW, along Montana Ave (US 62/180), in the McRae Blvd area.  Part of the long dead Trowbridge/Montana Fwy from sixties planning documents.   An overpass of Montana, at both McRae and Hawkins Blvd should have been a part of this.   
   There is a fairly lengthy semi-freeway or expressway, that currently exists as Montana Ave, between Airway and Hawkins.  Six lane cross section with center turn lane and frontages.  Limited curb cuts onto Montana, itself.  This proposed Freeway segment should connect into it.   The proposed western terminus of this proposal is too far east at Yarbrough.  (Yes despise that "global reach" designation).   And yes a new traffic signal was added, east of McRae, on Montana Ave, for a shiny new bus complex.   Seems like they're trying to do two things here.   Speed up traffic in the east, while slowing it down in the western sections of the corridor.   Nuts.   
   Roughly twenty years ago, there was scoping, to look at/study in order to do something with the intersection of Airway and Montana.  Went nowhere, likely due to intense development crowding that intersection just south of the El Paso airport.    The Montana six lane corridor west of Airway is simply too densely packed with auto dealerships, and other retail concerns to upgrade it to any kind of semi or fully limited access facility.   
   And trying to extend it all the way along Montana and Paisano, to I-10, brings it too close to the antiquated I-10/US 54 spaghetti bowl in a fantasy scenario.   Considerable amounts were recently spent to "pretty up" that near fifty year old stack, with paint and architectural frills, instead of beginning to plan for a needed replacement.   Numerous deficiencies exist with that stack, both as part of it, and also directly adjacent to it.   Problems such as inadequate I-10 cross section, weaving, shifted EB I-10 lanes, lack of WB frontage through bowl, proximity of the Raynolds antique overpass, and likely no ability of the stack, to withstand even a modest seismic event.  And it is just plain ugly, with an oversupply of piers and columns. 
   Believe it would have made more sense to address that stack, and it's problems, than squandering the vast sums on the west side loop/tollway extension.   

Anthony_JK

Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 11:39:56 AM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on July 25, 2018, 10:53:18 AM
Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 09:51:27 AM
Are they expanding I-10 from SAT to Seguin? 3X3 lanes?

Yes, there is $409 million allocated to widen IH 10 to 3x3 from Loop 1604 to SH 130, all work with ranking tier=1. However, it appears that the section from the Guadalupe/Bexar county line to US 90 may not be funded yet.
There is also $100 million for the Loop 410/IH 10 interchange in east San Antonio. That's enough for "phase 1 priority connectors".

Widening between IH 410 and Loop 1604 is already in progress with a $120 million contract awarded in May
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/bidtab/05013001.htm#002502160


Good to know, TxDot wants the I-10 to I30 to be an alternate to taking I-35 between SAT and AUS. Expanding I-10 to three lanes and finishing up whatever lane rebuild is going on on I30 between I-10 and 45 will help make it a serious alternate. If you don't mind the tolls

Just wondering....is the southern perimeter of I-410 south to I-35 included in this SH 130 "extension", or are they waiting for Loop 1604 to be expanded and freewayized?



thisdj78

Quote from: Anthony_JK on July 28, 2018, 08:29:57 PM
Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 11:39:56 AM
Quote from: MaxConcrete on July 25, 2018, 10:53:18 AM
Quote from: longhorn on July 25, 2018, 09:51:27 AM
Are they expanding I-10 from SAT to Seguin? 3X3 lanes?

Yes, there is $409 million allocated to widen IH 10 to 3x3 from Loop 1604 to SH 130, all work with ranking tier=1. However, it appears that the section from the Guadalupe/Bexar county line to US 90 may not be funded yet.
There is also $100 million for the Loop 410/IH 10 interchange in east San Antonio. That's enough for "phase 1 priority connectors".

Widening between IH 410 and Loop 1604 is already in progress with a $120 million contract awarded in May
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/insdtdot/orgchart/cmd/cserve/bidtab/05013001.htm#002502160


Good to know, TxDot wants the I-10 to I30 to be an alternate to taking I-35 between SAT and AUS. Expanding I-10 to three lanes and finishing up whatever lane rebuild is going on on I30 between I-10 and 45 will help make it a serious alternate. If you don't mind the tolls

Just wondering....is the southern perimeter of I-410 south to I-35 included in this SH 130 "extension", or are they waiting for Loop 1604 to be expanded and freewayized?

130 is already signed concurrently with 410:

https://imgur.com/a/YFmzRFo




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