FM 1093/Westpark Tollway Public Meeting Summary Report From FM 1463/FM 359 To SH 99 CSJ: 1258-03-042 and 1258-03-043 Prepared for Fort Bend County U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration Texas Department of Transportation- Houston District December 2011 TABLE OF CONTENTS PUBLIC MEETING SUMMARY………………………………………………………………1 APPENDICES Appendix A NOTICE OF PUBLIC MEETING Appendix B ADVERTISEMENTS/AFFIDAVITS Appendix C PUBLIC MEETING PROGRAM Appendix D PHOTOGRAPHS Appendix E SIGN-IN SHEETS Appendix F WRITTEN COMMENT FORMS Appendix G ELECTED OFFICIALS LETTER AND LIST Appendix H ADJACENT PROPERTY OWNERS AND CONCERNED CITIZENS LIST Public Meeting Summary Report Page i PUBLIC MEETING SUMMARY Fort Bend County, in conjunction with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), Houston District, conducted a public meeting concerning the proposed FM 1093 roadway widening project from FM 1463 to SH 99, on October 27, 2011 at Seven Lakes High School located at 9251 South Fry Road, Katy, Texas 77494. The purpose of the meeting was to gather public input on the proposed widening of FM 1093/Westpark Tollway. The existing FM 1093 roadway is a two-lane undivided facility. The proposed roadway improvement project would extend the existing Westpark Tollway (four-lane controlled access tollway with continuous non-toll frontage roads) from its current terminus at SH 99 through the FM 723 intersection. The toll lanes would terminate and tie into the non-toll frontage roads west of the FM 723 intersection. The four-lane divided facility would continue west through the intersection of Westheimer Lakes North Drive. West of Westheimer Lakes North Drive, the four-lane divided roadway would taper into the existing two-lane undivided facility immediately east of the FM 1463/FM 359 intersection. A five-foot sidewalk is proposed on the north side of the proposed project. Additional right-of-way (ROW) would be required for the proposed project. The additional ROW would be obtained from private property along the north side and a portion of METRO ROW along the south side. One commercial displacement is required as part of the proposed project. Katy-Gaston Road and Spring Green Boulevard/FM 723, within the proposed project limits, would become grade- separated interchanges. The proposed project length is approximately 4.2 miles and the proposed project construction is anticipated in 2013. The Notice of Public Meeting was published on September 22 and October 13, 2011 in the Houston Chronicle community newspapers for zip codes 77494 and 77406; September 25 and October 16, 2011 in the LaVoz Spanish newspaper; and on September 27 and October 17, 2011 in the Houston Chronicle. The notice and the affidavits of publication are attached. The public meeting was held, from approximately 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in an open house format. Two registration tables were located at the entrance of Seven Lakes High School Cafeteria/Commons area where attendees were invited to sign-in. Each person was provided with a pre-addressed comment form to share their thoughts regarding the proposed project, and a program, which contained a brief description and purpose of the proposed project. Handouts provided at the public meeting were available in English and Spanish. The sign-in forms and programs are attached. Citizens were given an opportunity to view the various exhibits that were on display (see attached photos). Exhibits included a welcome board, the project location, the need and purpose, the project description, typical sections, the schematic layout for the preferred alternative, and an environmental constraints map. Additionally, project management staff was available at each station to provide information and answer questions from citizens regarding the proposed project. Public Comments The public was encouraged to ask questions and make comments. All verbal questions and comments were immediately responded to at the meeting. Sixteen public meeting comment Public Meeting Summary Report Page 1 forms were submitted at the public meeting and 11 comment forms were submitted via regular mail or email by the deadline of November 10, 2011. Input gathered from meeting attendees will be evaluated and used in the final adjustments of the preferred alternative. The written questions/comments received and responses are attached and summarized as follows: Comment 1: I would like to see a connector lane (at grade) from south bound SH 99 to west bound frontage. This should be mandatory on the project due to timing of construction and reduced delay time. The project is desperately needed. Bumper to bumper traffic often 5:00 pm is dangerous. Overflow traffic congests Fry Road and ramp from SH 99 to Fry Road. Accessing FM 1093 in the morning is dangerous at Gaston. Response 1: It is agreed that a south bound to west bound at-grade connector is needed. It will be added to the final schematic. Comment 2: For residence with entrances to subdivision there should be a light instead of having to make an unsafe u-turn. Westheimer Lakes South. Response 2: A traffic signal is not feasible at the intersection of FM 1093 and Canyon Fields Drive/Cinco Road Drive (the entrance to Westheimer Lakes South) because the mainlanes of the Westpark Tollway are terminating approximately 1,500 feet to the east of this intersection. Because multiple high-speed lanes are transitioning onto the frontage road, a signalized intersection at this location would be dangerous and would create a problem similar to the existing intersection of Gaston Road at FM 1093 (which is located approximately 2,000 feet from the end of the current Westpark Tollway mainlanes). The proposed u-turn would not be inherently unsafe. It would function identically to u-turns located at diamond interchanges throughout the State and would be large enough to accommodate a tractor-trailer vehicle. Comment 3: Covey Trails is a public use airport. Phase Two-Plan an overpass at FM 1093 and FM 1463/FM 359. Consider airport approach path regarding overpass rise and light poles in the path of air traffic. Response 3: The airport approach path and associated clear zones will be considered when planning the future extension of the Phase 2 Westpark Tollway. Currently, there are no plans to construct anything that would conflict with the runway approach for Covey Trails. Comment 4: Concerned about FM 1463 intersection and projected Phase I transition. Response 4: The transition from eight-lanes to two-lanes at FM 1463 occurs over a distance of 9,000 feet (1.7 miles). This meets the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASTHO) and TxDOT requirements for transition lengths for this type of facility. Comment 5: Concerning the feeder road from Canyon Fields Drive to SH 99 (Grand Parkway), how much more congested will this be for people using it and not the tollway? There is an awful lot of traffic on this road and I don’t imagine a lot of the people will take the toll road for that short of a distance. Public Meeting Summary Report Page 2 Response 5: The proposed four-lanes of frontage roads would add capacity beyond the existing two-lane road. If traffic becomes congested on the frontage road, drivers would have the option to pay a toll to access the mainlanes and bypass potential congestion on the frontage roads. Comment 6: Please consider noise abatement and hazards to air navigation. Response 6: Noise mitigation will be considered for impacted residences. If a noise wall is considered reasonable and feasible, then noise walls would be recommended. See Response 3 for comment concerning hazards to air navigation. Comment 7: I drive FM 1093 every day. I have been driving it for over six years. There is dramatic congestion every morning going towards Houston, and every evening headed towards Fulshear. From 6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m., it can take 15 to 18 minutes to move from FM 723 to SH 99. In the evenings, traffic is backed up east of SH 99 all the way to FM 723. The congestion causes drivers to do stupid things, like driving on shoulders or merge gores. I see people trying to cross this traffic from the side streets in desperate, fast, and dangerous manners. I see bad driving caused by frustration almost every day. Response 7: Comment noted. Comment 8: I was pleased to have my questions answered. Response 8: Comment noted. Comment 9: Congestion at FM 1093 is really bad during peak hours and with additional developments it is getting worse by the day. This project will be really useful to relieve congestion and also improve safety through this corridor. Response 9: Comment noted. Comment 10: This project is needed today as the traffic in this area is rapidly growing. Extension of frontage roads and tollway is already behind the development in this area of Fort Bend County. Please expedite the environmental process as well as design and construction of this project. Response 10: Comment noted. Comment 11: It is very dangerous as is! The sooner the better. It is going to be a year or two, please consider temporary improvements. Do the frontage roads now. Response 11: Temporary improvements will be considered. The frontage roads are part of the proposed FM 1093 improvement project. As such, the environmental process and the ROW acquisition have to be completed before construction can begin. Comment 12: We are ready. Start tomorrow! Response 12: Comment noted. Public Meeting Summary Report Page 3 Comment 13: Forthcoming in a letter. Response 13: Comment noted. Comment 14: I would like this constructed as soon as possible. Due to increase in traffic and development in this area. Response 14: Comment noted. Comment 15: It is what it is! Response 15: Comment noted.