ENERGY CORRIDOR DISTRICT UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION PLAN ACHIEVE MOBILITY THROUGH ENERGY

Transcription

1 ENERGY CORRIDOR DISTRICT UNIFIED TRANSPORTATION PLAN ACHIEVE MOBILITY THROUGH ENERGY energycorridor

2 The Energy Corridor A Thriving Business Community 4 Located along Interstate between Kirkwood and Barker Cypress Road 4 One of the three largest employment centers in the region 4 More than 300 multinational, national and local companies 4 Over 1,500 acres 4 18 million square feet of office space 4 Over 4 million square feet of retail space 4 Home to over 73,000 employees 4 Population of 40,000 is expected to increase by over 12% in the next 5 years 4 By 2025, an anticipated additional 9 million square feet of office, industrial and retail space

3 The third largest employment center in the Greater Houston Area, the Energy Corridor is a major center of commerce and home to leading companies including BP America, CITGO, ConocoPhillips, Foster-Wheeler USA Corp, ExxonMobil Chemical, Shell Oil Company and Worley Parsons. The Energy Corridor also includes more than 19,000 single and multi-family homes. But beyond the numbers, the Energy Corridor is more than acres, cubicles and population statistics it s a community distinguished by energetic lifestyles. The Corridor provides an environment that inspires productivity, creative thinking and drive to succeed. And that includes our quest to continually seek smarter, more efficient transportation alternatives that are safe, help preserve the environment and are, in some cases, fun. With projections that West Houston will exceed a population of 1.8 million by 2035, the Energy Corridor is emerging as one of the region s most vital economic hubs. This thriving community is poised for growth through the vision and strategic planning led by the Energy Corridor District. Founded in 2001, the Energy Corridor District is taking the lead in working with local and state officials to provide transportation, mobility, infrastructure and safety programs to preserve and enhance the quality of life for the community. As new challenges arise to meet the needs of our growing city, the Energy Corridor District remains committed to playing a key role in planning, developing and promoting smart mobility options for Houstonians who live, work and play within the Corridor community. energycorridor BP America is one of many leading national and international companies located in the Energy Corridor. T H E B E S T B U S I N E S S D I S T R I C T I N T H E B E S T B U S I N E S S C I T Y I N T H E U. S. A

4 Regional Transportation Overview The Energy Corridor is easily accessible from numerous interstate highways, toll roads and thoroughfares. Conveniently located in West Houston, the Corridor can be accessed from Interstate Highway, State Highway 6, Westpark Tollway and the West Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8). And, with the connection of the Grand Parkway from US 290 to IH underway, commuters traveling from Northwest Houston will soon have even easier access. Working with State and County Agencies to Improve Mobility The Energy Corridor District worked closely with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) during the recent $2.8 billion reconstruction of IH, the largest reconstruction program undertaken in Texas. To accommodate the significant growth throughout the region, the Interstate was widened to 16 lanes, which serve more than 219,000 vehicles per day. A unique feature of IH is the Katy Managed Lanes, the first multi-lane electronic tollway in the nation that operates within the right of way of an interstate highway, providing multiple entrance and exit locations to drivers. Beginning west of State Highway 6, the Managed Lanes continue to the IH /IH 6 Interchange and consist of two express lanes in each direction. The new Interstate Highway and Katy HOV Managed Lanes make traveling to the Energy Corridor District easier than ever. energycorridor 2 R E D U C I N G O U R C A R B O N F O O T P R I N T B Y L I M I T I N G G R E E N H O U S E G A S E M I S S I O N S 444

5 * (FUTURE) Located in West Houston, the Energy Corridor is easily accessible via numerous interstates and thoroughfares. And, the expansion of roadways to and within the Energy Corridor continues to evolve to meet the growing population of the area. Equally important, the Corridor is central to regional public and private airports. * * * ENERGY CORRIDOR KATY MANAGED LANES * GRAND PARKWAY * W. SAM HOUSTON TOLLWAY TOLL ROAD (FUTURE) * The year's noted on future projects are provided by the respective agencies and are subject to change. SUGAR LAND REGIONAL AIRPORT Full freeways Toll roads State-numbered roads, non-freeways, non-toll Thoroughfares Proposed roads Existing roads to be improved

6 Local Accessibility Vital to the success and growth of the Corridor are transportation and mobility. The District is continually working with the City of Houston to improve local street access and roadway conditions to ease congestion and increase traffic flow throughout the area. Currently, more than 20 Capital Improvement Projects are proposed in and around the Energy Corridor through Among the improvements are: 4Creating a finer street grid 4Widening streets 4Adding turn lanes at intersections 4Improving traffic signal operations 4Adding pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure The Energy Corridor District is working closely with the City of Houston to widen N. Eldridge Parkway between Memorial Drive and IH to six lanes. To better distinguish the Energy Corridor and provide clear navigation, the District has installed a new wayfinding system. The street and directional signage features a vibrant green background with bold white lettering to ensure the greatest ease in getting around the area. energycorridor 4 B E T T E R T R A F F I C F L O W M E A N S L E S S P O L L U T I O N

7 ELDRIDGE DAIRY ASHFORD Capital Improvement Plan Map PARK ROW 23 BARKER CYPRESS 24 Addicks Reservoir 2 1 Barker Reservoir Buffalo Bayou GRISBY 6 Langhem Creek 18 ENCLAV E PARKWAY MEMORIAL KIRKWOOD 14 Buffalo Bayou 6 BRIAR FOREST ELDRIDGE IH Reconstruction Project TxDOT HFD Station 90 - COH Grisby Reconstruction * Grisby / SH 6 Traffic Signal - TxDOT Fort Smith Pilot Project * Grisby / Addicks Howell Intersection * Park Row Sidewalks * Projects proposed by Energy Corridor District WESTHEIMER 14 Memorial Reconstruction Phase 1 - COH Memorial Reconstruction Phase 2 - COH 16 Terry Hershey Hike & Bike Trail N. - HC# SH 6 Pedestrian / Bicycle Improvements * Park Row Extension SH 6 to Eldridge N. Eldridge Parkway Hike & Bike Trail * Dairy Ashford / Eldridge Intersection - COH 6 Lane Eldridge - COH Memorial / Eldridge Intersection - COH Addicks Dam Hike & Bike Trail W. * * Enclave / Eldridge Intersection - COH Memorial Drive Sidewalks SH 6 to N. Eldridge Parkway WestLake Park Blvd. / Grisby Intersection * Memorial Dr. / Addicks Howell Intersection * Addicks Howell Reconstruction * Cullen Park Hike & Bike Trail & Barker Cypress Sidewalk * Bush Park Hike & Bike Trail - HC#3 Kendall Library - COH West Houston Hike & Bike Trail - COH Eldridge / Briar Forest Intersection - COH

8 BARKER-CYPRESS PARK ROW PARK TEN BLVD KINGSLAND BARKER RESERVOIR Aerial Overview As West Houston continues to experience significant growth, the Energy Corridor District is taking the initiative to lead transportation initiatives to meet the needs of the increase in residents, businesses and visitors. Increase Capacity Access Management Signal Improvements Alternative Modes energycorridor 6 B E I N G S O C L O S E T O E V E R Y T H I N G M E A N S L E S S D R I V I N G

9 HIGHWAY 6 ELDRIDGE PKWY CULLEN PARK LANGHAM CREEK ADDICKS PARK & RIDE KATY MANAGED LANES DAIRY ASHFORD MEMORIAL DR. KIRKWOOD TERRY HERSHEY PARK BUFFALO BAYOU

10 Pedestrian and Bicycle Friendly With more than 50 miles of trails, the Energy Corridor is ideal for cyclists, joggers and hikers. Many Corridor employees navigate the trails and roadways each day to cycle to work. Neighborhood Map To further the connection of trails throughout West Houston, the Energy Corridor District was selected by the Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program of the National Park Service to receive planning assistance for a West Houston Trail System Master Plan. Working collaboratively with partners and stakeholders including the United States Army Corps of Engineers, Harris County Precinct 3, Harris County Public Infrastructure, Harris County Flood Control District, the City of Houston and Houston Community College, as well as numerous Municipal Utility Districts, Super Neighborhoods and corporations, the District is developing the plan, which will cover a 6-mile radius from the intersection of IH to State Highway 6 and consists of 113,000 acres. The additional trail connections will provide further options for those who choose to ride their bike to work. The Energy Corridor s extensive public parks, greenbelts and trails are attractive to employees and residents who walk to lunch, client meetings and local retailers. With increased foot traffic, the District initiates numerous sidewalk improvement projects including the widening of walkways along State Highway 6, IH, Eldridge Parkway and Park Row. energycorridor 8 M O R E P E O P L E O N T H E P A T H S M E A N S L E S S T R A F F I C O N T H E S T R E E T S

11 Transit and Trails Transit and Hike & Bike Trail Map 221, 222, 229, 298 Park & Ride Routes Barker Dam Trail Addicks Reservoir GRISBY Barker Resevoir Addicks Park & Ride Lot 228, 229, 298 INTERSTATE Langhem Creek Dairy Ashford Bike Lanes Addicks Dam Trail 221, 222, 228, 229, 298 Park & Ride Routes 6 DAIRY ASHFORD MEMORIAL ELDRIDGE MEMORIAL Buffalo Bayou 131 Memorial Express ENC LAVE 6 HIGHWAY Buffalo Bayou Terry Hershey Trail BRIAR FOREST ELDRIDGE Enclave & Briar Forest Bike Lanes 53 Briar Forest Limited 67 Dairy Ashford Crosstown Texas Bicycle Coalition Optional/Available Color Treatment Examples Texas Bicycle Coalition Parking Major Highways Metro Bus Routes Bike Lanes Existing Trails Proposed Trails Secondary Pantone 1235 Solid Coated Primary Pantone 2738 Solid Coated

12 Commute Solutions The Energy Corridor District is instrumental in providing convenient, efficient transportation options that move employees, residents and visitors to and throughout the Corridor. Working strategically with organizations including METRO and Houston-Galveston Area Council, the Corridor offers a variety of transportation solutions to meet the community s needs. Alternative transportation options include: 4NuRide is an online community where riders can save money and earn rewards by participating in a carpool or vanpool, walking, cycling, telecommuting or riding public transportation. For more information, visit 4METRO s Bikes on Buses program allows cyclists to ride their bikes to their bus and bring their bikes along. Local buses equipped with bike racks on the front of the bus and commuter coach buses with storage inside the luggage compartment enable commuters to truly ride from door to door. 4The Addicks Park & Ride, located at IH east of Highway 6, offers convenient transit service to the Central Business District, Uptown/Galleria, Houston Center and Texas Medical Center. Grand Parkway and Kingsland Park & Rides are available for commuters living further west along IH. For more information including a complete list of routes and schedules, visit 4For getting around the Corridor and West Houston area, METRO offers local bus service on Westheimer, Briar Forest, Memorial Drive and Dairy Ashford. 4Star, the region s new vanpool program operated by METRO, provides an alternative for commuters who live or work in areas where bus service is not convenient. For more information, call RIDE. 4RideShare is a free service that matches commuters who live and work in close proximity so that they can form vanpools and carpools. For information, call RIDE. 4 The proposed Eldridge Crosstown Circulator connects existing METRO bus routes to the Addicks Park & Ride Lot serving Energy Corridor residents, workers and businesses. energycorridor S A V E G A S T E L E C O M M U T E, S I G N U P F O R A V A N P O O L O R O R G A N I Z E A C A R P O O L 444

13 Proposed Eldridge Crosstown Circulator Map 221, 222, 229, 298 Park & Ride Routes Addicks Reservoir GRISBY 6 Addicks Park & Ride Lot 228, 229, 298 Park & Ride Routes MEMORIAL Langhem Creek ELDRIDGE DAIRY ASHFORD 221, 222, 228, 229, 298 Park & Ride Routes MEMORIAL Buffalo Bayou 131 Memorial Limited Proposed Eldridge Crosstown Circulator Buffalo Bayou 6 BRIAR FOREST ELDRIDGE BRIAR FOREST 53 Briar Forest Limited WESTHEIMER 67 Dairy Ashford Crosstown 82 Westheimer The Energy Corridor is accessible via mass transportation services including METRO Park & Ride, local METRO buses, vanpools and the proposed Eldridge Crosstown Circulator

14 Livable Center Business location decisions require proximity to employees, access, quality development and confidence in the future. The Energy Corridor s central location in West Houston on IH provides exceptional mobility and access that allows employees to live in high-performing public school districts near their work. Our quality developments give employers an edge in recruiting and retaining the best and the brightest in their industry. The Energy Corridor District provides an added level of confidence in the future to protect corporate investment while maintaining the quality of life and sustainable place demanded by environmentally conscious employees. The District s plans encourage a mixture of land uses supported by transportation infrastructure in a walkable and transit-oriented place a master planned-business center with: 4Authenticity and sense of place 4Quality streetscape improvements 4Sidewalks and outdoor places to meet others 4Leisure dining, spas, coffee houses and shops 4Hotels with meeting and training facilities 4Parks and hike and bike trails 4Desirable places to live 4Places of worship and excellent schools The Energy Corridor is a pedestrian and bicycle friendly community. Business thrives in a friendly place with trouble-free mobility and access, convenient transit, great public spaces, lush landscaping and distinctive architecture the kind of place where business and leisure fulfill your life. energycorridor 12 A G R E E N E R L I F E S T Y L E I S W I T H I N Y O U R R E A C H

15 The Energy Corridor Mobility Strategy 4Increase Capacity Street Widening Intersection Improvements Completion of Thoroughfare System 4Signal Improvements Timing Coordination 4Access Management Limit Median Openings Share Driveways 4Alternative Modes Pedestrian- and Cyclist-Friendly Environment Shared-use Trails Pedestrian Facilities at Intersections Transit Ridesharing Van Pools

16 energycorridor St. Mary s Lane Suite 290 Houston, TX