DNT IH 635 (LBJ Freeway) Corridor Study Initial meeting held in June 2001 Updated August 2002 How to move from three planning sections LBJ Corridor Study Study Sections I.H. 35E President George Bush Turnpike I.H. 635 (LBJ) LUNA BELT LINE WEST SECTION LOOP 12 I.H. 35E U.S. 75 / I.H. 635 Interchange in construction CBD I.H.30 U.S. 75 EAST SECTION RD GARLAND S.H. 78 BELT LINE I.H. 635 (LBJ) I.H. 30 Mesquite Section U.S. 80 Planning Phase To a series of compatible design projects LBJ Freeway Schematic The Recommended Alternative LUNA RD I.H. 635 I.H.35E Luna IH 35E Webb Chapel HOV/ Toll (HOT) Lane Access Locations DNT BELT LINE ROAD Midway LOOP 12 WEST SECTION I.H. 35E Preston US 75 CBD FR PGBT I.H.30 LBJ FREEWAY BELT LINE Updated August 2002 1 U.S. 75 TI Blvd. Skillman GARLAND ROAD Legend EAST SECTION Mainlane 8 Mainlanes +4/6 HOV/ Toll 10 Mainlanes + 4 HOV/Toll 10 Mainlanes + 2 Rev. HOV/Toll 10 Mainlanes DART Light Rail - Construction DART Light Rail - Planning HOV Lanes - Planning Garland S.H. 78 La Prada IH 30 N NTS I.H. 30 U.S. 80 Feb. 16, 2001
Index 1. Cover Sheet 1 sheet [Only change was the update component and minor slide edits] 2. Index 1 sheet [No change except to note changes] 3. A Basic Framework 4 sheets [Edited to reflect current work efforts, guidance and policies] 4. Current Project Planning Schedule 1 Sheet [Updated August 2002] 5. Project Listing Ancillary/Support & Design 1 sheet [Minor Edits] 6. Outsourcing Approach 1 sheet [Minor Edits Changes] 7. Long Term Project Listing in CSJ Format 3 sheets [New $ s for Construction Costs Updated in the fall of 2001] Updated August 2002 2
A Basic Framework as applied to all Major Corridor type Projects The LBJ Freeway Corridor Study has been focused on developing the planning level documentation for three sections. These are the West, East and Mesquite Sections. All three sections, Mesquite, East and West sections are approaching the technical end of the planning phase. This is where a Public Hearing is held on each project to better gauge public support prior to moving into the design phase. The City of Mesquite felt so confident about the support for the Mesquite section that it provided the funding and hired the design consultant for the project. This work is proceeding well. In an effort to expedite the implementation process TxDOT is continuing to attempt to overlap the final review and approval process with procurement/selection of consultants for the East and West sections. Under our current financial constraints it is increasingly difficult to move large projects through the development process. TxDOT is undergoing a revision of the project selection process. A simple outline of the current process is listed below. The actual description of the new process will alter what is written, but not drastically change the logic steps. 1. An idea is generated for a project which results in a mini request/report to receive designation by Austin for Long Range Planning Status (LRP). Basically, TxDOT has permission to further develop the idea. This step will now be called Plan 2. A feasibility study, preliminary engineering study or Major Investment Study (MIS) is then performed. The results of these studies must be included in the Metropolitan Planning Organization s (MPO s) regional mobility plan and air quality conformity plans to proceed to planning. It is now customary practice to have these early studies be the precursor document to the planning documents which are the Categorical Exclusion (Cat/Ex.), Environmental Assessment (EA) or an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). Updated August 2002 3
Steps 3, 4 and 5 will undergo significant changes with the new Unified Transportation Plan (UTP) process being developed for use in FY 2003. To what effect the LBJ Corridor will be designated in the new process has not yet been determined. Since the actual environmental clearance date for the LBJ Corridor projects will be sometime in early 2003 by that time a clearer picture may have been developed. 3. A Planning study is then completed according to the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) process. This step is an extension of steps 1 and 2 as to be designated as PLAN status. This step is still in the planning process which is culminated by the successful completion of the schematic, environmental document and public involvement and participation 4. Upon receiving a Cat/Ex., FONSI or ROD the project can then move to DEVELOP (formally - Priority 2) status in the Unified Transportation Plan (UTP). Preliminary Design can then begin on designated projects. This is a 10-year financially constrained listing of projects (years 5-10) Some categories will be combined with step 5 for a complete 10-year window for construction funding. 5. After sufficient progress is made in design the project can move to CONSTRUCT (formally priority 1) status in the UTP and be included in the STIP/TIP a 4 year funding window. Final PS&E work is completed (years 1-4). Likely to be combined with some categories in step 4 for a complete 10-year window for construction funding. Updated August 2002 4
6. The project gets selected for construction and is subsequently completed and open for use by the public. More attention is now going to be paid toward those projects that improve mobility, improve safety, minimize congestion and are sensitive to the environment. By having major projects be grouped in corridors there will be better logic applied to sequencing of projects. Updated August 2002 5
A Basic Framework as applied to LBJ Freeway The three planing sections of LBJ; the Mesquite, East and West Sections, can be broken into reasonable design projects. However, some of these projects will need to be further broken into multiple PS&E construction projects. The actual implementation time frame for a corridor that is 21 miles long could easily approach 20 years. The complexities associated with a billion dollar plus project requires a more far reaching approach to ensure the most efficient allocation of resources occur. This can be best implemented if there is a focus on two types of projects; one being ancillary/support design and two being preliminary/final design. Depending on TxDOT resource allocations these can be contracted out or performed by in-house staff. The other challenge is how we work through the project development process as it relates to financial constraint, environmental clearance, public involvement, air quality conformity, design budgets, staffing, procurement of services, and work load assignments. The current State budget crunch is having an effect on TxDOT s ability to adequately predict, schedule and fund some of the engineering for our projects. Details of this situation will continue to be discussed and communicated with respect to the implementation process being described. The general philosophy does not change just the timing. The approach being proposed for the LBJ Freeway is that TxDOT take advantage of the Austin and FHWA environmental review time to begin the procurement process for professional services for design. In this way TxDOT will be prepared to begin design upon receiving environmental clearance without delay (Subject to selection and funding decisions). A listing of those design projects is included later in this report. TxDOT has already implemented this approach on a few projects as will be noted later in the report. Updated August 2002 6
Planning Schedule & Status for the West, East & Mesquite Sections West Section: Complete 10 lane study Completed. Only 8 lanes are proposed o A wider left shoulder was provided for future flexibility Update schematic to incorporate results of 10 lane study - Completed Complete phase 2 traffic and revenue study Completed Finalize schematic and have ready for PH Completed Finalize EA submit to Austin & FHWA for approval Completed/Underway Receive approval to hold public hearing December 2002 (Goal) Hold Public Hearing February 2003 (Goal) Submit final EA documentation April 2003 (Goal) Receive FONSI July 2003 (Goal) East Section: Design Charette for I-30 and Town East Blvd. ramp issue Completed Submit Design Charette Recommendations for approval Completed Submit corrected Final EA to Austin & FHWA Completed Receive approval for Design Charette Recommendations Completed Make final Schematic and EA Corrections Completed Receive approval to hold a public hearing Completed Hold Public hearing October 2002 (Being scheduled for 10/10/20) Submit final EA documentation December 2002 (Goal) Receive FONSI April 2003 (Goal) Mesquite Section: Begin Design (Paid for by the City of Mesquite) Jan. 2001 Move project to Districts UTP 2 status - Completed Austin/FHWA approval to conclude public involvement July 1 st, 2001 Offer an opportunity for a Public Hearing July/August 2001 Letters received requesting a Public Hearing Sep 2001 Incorporate Design Charette Recommendations Completed Hold Public Hearing, Process Results & Receive FONSI All by Sep 2002 Begin Phase I of project for construction January 2003 Updated August 2002 7
Project Listing Ancillary/Support & Design Ancillary/Support: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Right-of-Way: Map & Deed for East & West, Mesquite (Review Only) [Underway City] Right-of-Way: Appraisals for East & West, Mesquite (Review Only) [Future] Right-of-Way: Acquisition for East & West, Mesquite (Review Only) [Future] Sub Surface Utility Engineering: Existing and As-Builts (Initial work all completed) Mesquite Completed Existing SUE from I-30 to US 80 4 East Completed Existing SUE from McCree to I-30 4 East As-Built from McCree to US 80 4 East Existing & As-Built from US 75 to McCree 4 West Existing & As-Built from Webb Chapel to US 75 4 West Existing & As-Built for I-35E Interchange (Luna/Webb/Royal/Valwood) 4 Drainage Design: Hydraulic Study for East & West sections (Under Negotiations) Utility Coordination: East and West to ensure Utilities are clear (TBD Still Possible) Urban Design Theme Definition and Details (On hold due to budget constraints) Option 1 District Wide Approach to Include LBJ Freeway (Most Likely Choice) Option 2 LBJ Freeway to include District wide guidance Operational Schematic: Guidance and Details for East & West package (In-House) 1. Items to include: Lighting, Signals, ADA, Signing, Striping, ITS Project Controls: Scheduling and Tracking Assistance for project (TBD Still Possible) Design: West: 1. I-35E Interchange (Important NAFTA Considerations and Connections to HOT Lanes) 2. LBJ Managed Lanes Approach & Tunnels from Webb Chapel to US 75 (Next Priority) 3. LBJ Mainlanes & Ramps - Surface work between portals and at the DNT (Accelerate?) 4. Early Frontage Roads Hillcrest to Merit (PS&E Design at 15%) Letting Dec. 2004 East: (First 6 projects could be combined in sets of 2) 1. Greenville to W. of Abrams 2. W. of Abrams to Skillman 3. Skillman to West of Plano Road 4. West of Plano Road to AT&SF RR 5. AT&SF RR to Centerville Road 6. Centerville Road to Oates 7. I-30 Interchange Mesquite: (Design Underway) 1. Phase 1 Towne Centre Drive & Ramps (PS&E Design at 100%) Letting in Oct. 2002 2. Phase 2 Town East Blvd., FR and Ramps (PS&E Design at 30%) Letting in Oct. 2004 Updated August 2002 8
Outsourcing Approach Identify projects for outsourcing Ancillary/Support & Design Meet w/ the consultant community to discuss the approach Ongoing process of updates as needed Refine & Finalize Approach Scope, Costs, Packaging etc Ongoing process to meet schedule and resource demands Submit Request for Specific Professional Provider Services Form Consultant Selection Teams (CST) (As needed) Put out agreed upon NOI s for LOI s (possible Order) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Urban Design (Ready to go subject to approval) Early Frontage Roads Hillcrest to Merit (Underway) Drainage Design (Under Negotiations) SUE (Initial effort complete by in-house & provider resources) Scheduling & Tracking (TBD) Operations (Most likely to be In-House) Right-Of-Way (Map & Deed, Appraisals, Acquisitions) Utility Relocation Coordination (TBD) LBJ Freeway Entire Corridor A, B, C (As Separate LOI s) A Tunnel and West Section between I-35E and US 75 B1 I-35E Interchange C - Surface, East 1-6 (In sets of 2 1&2, 3&4, 5&6) B2 I-30 Interchange Select and Negotiate as many as possible given fiscal constraints {Budget difficulties at TXDOT are making it hard to predict the timing} Updated August 2002 9
Long Term Project Listing in CSJ Format (Page 1) West Section: 1. Keep existing CSJ 2374-07-046: [West Leg of IH-35E Interchange] From: Luna Road (Mile Point 1.828) To: E. End of CRI&P RR (Mile Point 1.000) {Begin Section 07} Project Length = 0.828 Miles Construction Cost: $30,662,520 2. CSJ 2374-01-032 [IH-35E Interchange Project] From: IH-35E (Mile Point 15.029) {End Section 01} To: Webb Chapel (Mile Point 13.100) Project Length = 1.929 Miles Construction Cost: $239,966,994 3. CSJ 2374-01-130 [Early Frontage Road Project] From: E. of Hillcrest (Mile Point 7.543 To: Merit Drive (Mile Point 7.043) Project Length = 0.500 Miles Construction Cost: $24,500,000 4. CSJ 2374-01-068 [Tunnel and Transition Sections] From : Webb Chapel (Mile Point 13.100) To : Park Central (Mile Point 7.043) Project Length = 6.057 Miles Construction Cost: $587,911,853 5. CSJ 2374-01-136 [Surface work between portals] From: Midway (Mile Point 10.900) To: Preston (Mile Point 8.850) Project Length = 2.050 Miles Construction Cost: $77,657,119 Updated August 2002 10
Long Term - Project Listing in CSJ Format (Page 2) East Section: 1. CSJ 2374-01-137 [East Section 1A] From: Greenville (Mile Point 5.530) To: W. of Abrams (Mile Point 4.650) Project Length = 0.880 Mile Construction Cost: $33,393,199 2. CSJ 2374-01-127 [East Section 1B] From: W. of Abrams (Mile Point 4.650) To: Skillman (Mile Point 3.400) Project Length = 1.250 Mile Construction Cost: $49,360,941 3. CSJ 2374-01-138 [East Section 2A] From: Skillman (Mile Point 3.400) To: W. of Plano (Mile Point 1.900) Project Length = 1.500 Mile Construction Cost: $54,061,983 4. CSJ 2374-01-139 [East Section 2B] From: W. of Plano (Mile Point 1.900) To: AT&SF RR (Mile Point 0.000) Project Length = 1.900 Mile Construction Cost: $70,515,630 5. CSJ 2374-02-106 [East Section 3A] From: AT&SF RR (Mile Point 13.500) To: E. of Centerville (Mile Point 11.500) Project Length = 2.000 Mile Construction Cost: $69,958,983 Updated August 2002 11
Long Term - Project Listing in CSJ Format (Page 3) 6. CSJ 2374-02-107 [East Section3B] From: E. of Centerville (Mile Point 11.500) To: Oates Drive (Mile Point 9.900) Project Length = 1.600 Mile Construction Cost: $46,426,213 7. CSJ 2374-02-053 [IH-30 Interchange] From: Oates Drive (Mile Point 9.900) To: N. of Town East (Mile Point 8.300) Project Length = 1.600 Mile Construction Cost: $134,092,143 Mesquite Section 1. CSJ 2374-02-098 [Towne Centre Drive] From: N. of Town East (Mile Point 8.3) To: US 80 (Mile Point 6.9) Project Length = 1.4 Mile Construction Cost = $10,979,540 ROW Cost = $ 0 Utility Relocations = $1,050,000 2. CSJ 2374-02-098 [Town East Blvd.] From: N. of Town East (Mile Point 8.3) To: US 80 (Mile Point 6.9) Project Length = 1.4 Mile Construction Cost = $17,988,674 ROW Cost = $1,100,000 Utility Relocations = $4,00,000 Updated August 2002 12