SH 48 (BOCA CHICA BLVD) RAISED MEDIAN PUBLIC MEETING July 17, 2018

Date SH 336 Public Meeting SH 48 (BOCA CHICA BLVD) RAISED MEDIAN PROJECT

From I-69E to SH 4 (International Blvd)

SH 336 Public Meeting Public Meeting Agenda

•Welcome & Introductions Octavio Saenz – TxDOT Public Information Officer

•Technical Overview Javier Martinez, Jr. P.E.– TxDOT Pharr Central Design Project Manager

•Next Steps in Project Development Octavio Saenz – TxDOT Public Information Officer

• Public Comment

• Adjournment

SH 336 Public Meeting 3 Public Meeting Purpose

• Encourage and maintain effective communication with the public

• Provide project information

• Important step in environmental process

• Receive input and comments

SH 336 Public Meeting 4

Introductions .Elected Officials Present

.TxDOT Representatives

SH 336 Public Meeting 5 Meeting Format

. Purpose of the Public Meeting: To solicit feedback from the community regarding proposed improvements

. Options for Commenting: – Verbal comments will commence after presentation – Written comments can be placed in the comment box – E-Mail comments to: [email protected] – Fax comments to: 956-702-6110 – Mail comments to: TxDOT Pharr District 600 W. Interstate 2 Pharr, Texas 78577

. Deadline for comments: August 1, 2018

SH 336 Public Meeting 6 Project Overview

• From I-69E to SH 4 (International Blvd) Begin Project

End Project • Project Length: Approx. SH 48 1.5 Miles

• Construct raised median

69 E 69 - I and sidewalks

• No right of way needed

• Project cost is estimated about $3 million

SH 336 Public Meeting 7 Project Need and Purpose

• Need – What problems are we trying to address? . Increased congestion . Decreased mobility . Increased accident rate

. Purpose – What are we trying to do? . Enhance safety . Reduce congestion . Improve mobility

SH 336 Public Meeting 8 Conflict Points

SH 336 Public Meeting 9 Existing Crash Data

SH 48 Crashes by Year, 2010-2017

SH 336 Public Meeting 12 Centerline Crash Data

SH 48 Centerline Crashes by Year, 2010-2017

SH 336 Public Meeting 13 Typical Roadway Section EXISTING TYPICAL SECTION

PROPOSED TYPICAL SECTION

SH 336 Public Meeting 14 Removal of Existing Traffic Signals

Simpson Street Intersection Brownsville Plaza / Strawberry Square Intersection

Boca Chica Crossing / Home Depot Intersection

SH 336 Public Meeting 15 Benefits of Raised Medians*

• Research consistently finds safety benefits including: . Crash volume and rate Crash Rate Percentage reductions Average Pre- Post- of crash Daily raised raised rate . Crash severity reduced Road Traffic median median decrease Bus SH 41,000 4.3 1.8 -58 . Decrease in fatalities and 6 incapacitating injuries Loop 23,500 5.2 4.3 -17 281 71st 30,500 3.8 2.5 -34 • Constructing raised medians West 71st WC 29,500 3.8 1.8 -53 has decreased crash rates as US 385 10,600 19.6 15.4 -21 much as 58% Others 30,600 7.0 4.8 -31 • Raised medians used in Texas and many other states *Source: William E. Frawley, AICP Texas A&M Transportation Institute

SH 336 Public Meeting 17 Economic Effects Related to Raised Medians*

• TTI Research Studies on economic impacts due to raised median implementation:

*Source: William E. Frawley, AICP Texas A&M Transportation Institute . Economic Assessment of Access Management Projects in the Houston, Texas Region (2015). . Economic Impacts of Superstreet Implementation (2014). . A Methodology for Determining Economic Impacts of Raised Medians: Final Project Results (2000). . Economic Impacts of Raised Median Implementation in the Rio Grande Valley (2016). . FM 802 Raised Median Economic Impacts.

SH 336 Public Meeting 18 Environmental Study An environmental study is being conducted for this proposed project. This study considers:

• Impacts to the human • Streams and and natural Wetlands environment • Threatened and • Community Impacts Endangered Species • Noise • Cultural Resources • Air • Hazardous Materials • Vegetation

The environmental review, consultation, and other actions required by applicable Federal environmental laws for this project are being, or have been, carried-out by TxDOT pursuant to 23 U.S.C. 327 and a Memorandum of Understanding dated December 16, 2014, and executed by FHWA and TxDOT.

SH 336 Public Meeting 19 Project Schedule*

Ongoing Public Involvement

Public Environmental Final Design Project Let Construction Meeting Clearance July 2018 October 2018 November 2018 April 2019 July 2019- 2020

*This project schedule and dates are preliminary and subject to change.

SH 336 Public Meeting 20 Public Comment Period

• Use the microphone • State your name • State your interest in the project • Give your comments on the project • Please observe 3 minute rule 3:002:592:582:572:562:552:542:532:522:512:502:492:482:472:462:452:442:432:422:412:402:392:382:372:362:352:342:332:322:312:302:292:282:272:262:252:242:232:222:212:202:192:182:172:162:152:142:132:122:102:092:082:072:062:052:042:032:022:012:001:591:581:571:561:551:541:531:521:511:501:491:481:471:461:451:441:431:421:411:401:391:381:371:361:351:341:331:321:311:301:291:281:271:261:251:241:231:221:211:201:191:181:171:161:151:141:131:121:101:091:081:071:061:051:041:031:021:011:000:590:580:570:560:550:540:530:520:510:500:490:480:470:460:450:440:430:420:410:400:390:380:370:360:350:340:330:320:310:300:290:280:270:260:250:240:230:220:210:200:190:180:170:160:150:140:130:120:100:090:080:070:060:050:040:030:020:010:002:111:110:11

SH 336 Public Meeting 21 Provide Your Comments

• Leave comments at registration table tonight • Mail or drop off comments:

TxDOT Pharr District Office 600 W. Interstate 2 Pharr, TX 78577

• Fax comments to (956) 702-6110 • Email comments to [email protected]

Comment deadline August 1, 2018 (TxDOT Website www.txdot.gov Keyword: SH 48)

SH 336 Public Meeting 22 Closing Remarks

Thank You for Your Participation!

SH 336 Public Meeting 23