Council for the Built Environment

technical subcommittee

October 12, 2009

MEMORANDUM

To: Mr. Charles A. Sippial

Vice Chair, Council for the Built Environment
Vice President for Administration

Subject: Proposed University Drive Improvements

GENERAL
The Council for the Built Environment’s technical sub committee (CBE-tsc) provides the following as a
report to support the discussion and final recommendation(s) of the CBE regarding the proposed
improvements to University Drive. The subcommittee members concurred that once the
improvements were in place, the pedestrian safety in the area should be greatly improved. There
was however concerns related to the sufficiency of funding, the lack of input from the university
community (i.e. students, faculty, and staff), traffic flow issues and other various features as
outlined below. It is recommended that the project be given the university’s conceptual approval and
proceed as the specific points are resolved in the final design processes.
SCOPE
The CBE-tsc met this morning to consider the proposed safety improvements to University Drive in the
area generally between Wellborn Road and Asbury Street. The multi-phase project’s goal is to improve
the pedestrian safety of those traversing the area. The improvements will include, among other items,
changes to the interchange connecting University Drive and Wellborn Road, raised medians along
University Drive, signalization of the Boyett Street intersection to include a relocated driveway on the
campus, proposed closure of College Main by the City of College Station, redesigning Houston Street as
a one-way street and various other improvements meant to improve the safety and aesthetics of the area.
This is generally the first phase of the multiphase project which will ultimately include upgrades along
University Drive throughout the area from Wellborn Road to Old College Street.
The change to Houston Street to a one-way street is meant to provide a physical pedestrian link to the
contemplated closure of College Main on the north side of University Drive. Creating a pedestrian
friendly zone on both sides of the street, along with the improvements to the signalized intersection and
the raised medians are important features to facilitating the high volume of street crossings which
current occur in the area.
The budget for the project is currently $2 million, which is to be funded by the City as part of a
multi-project cooperative, related to the availability and timing of funding, between the University,
TxDOT and the City of College Station. The TAMU System Board of Regents has approved the
granting of the needed easements to University land as needed in support of the partnership. The actual
improvements will be constructed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).
The safety and aesthetic improvements contemplated along University Drive, first proposed in 2007 by
the City of College Station were initially envisioned in the City’s 2003 Northgate Redevelopment Plan
and were important elements in the University’s active Campus Master Plan.
University Drive Improvements
CBE-tsc Report
October 12, 2009
Page 2
CONSTRUCTION and TIMING
Due to logistical reasons, the Wellborn Rd-University Drive interchange and the changes at Boyett are
necessary first steps in the project. Other facets of the project are not necessary co-dependent on each
other. Important project features which are not directly under the control of the University include the
closure of College Main between University Drive and Patricia Street and the resolution of the
ownership/use of parking which currently exist on the north side of university drive between College
Main and Boyett Street.
Timing
It is estimated that once the design and other related aspects of the project are finalized, that the
total construction time should be approximately 6 months.
ANALYSIS
Physical Plant & Facilities
The traffic flow to and from the Post Office in the plan allows for the traffic from the parking lot
through Campus via Hogg and Asbury. This will increase traffic on Asbury and will require
modifications to the traffic signal timing at University as well as changes to lane designation.
Asbury is a major exit for the North Side Parking Garage with a short distance to University.
Consider adding an exit from the postal parking lot directly to University. The right turn only
exit could be located at the current proposed Houston Street entrance.

Utilities
There are three major project components which will affect Texas A&M University Utilities
service and they include:
1. University Dr Interchange at Wellborn Rd. will provide a perpendicular interface for
traffic coming on/off Wellborn at University Drive. It appears that A&M utilities that will
not be affected in this area.

2. New entrance into PA 30 across from Boyett Street – A new entrance will be created into
the PA30 and the existing drives to the east and west will be closed. The new entrance drive
will cross an existing 6" Domestic Water line installation, circa 1941, it’s depth is unknown
and it is recommended that the section of line under the construction being replaced. It will
also cross an existing 8" Sanitary Sewer line (depth shows to be approximately 11 feet). The
construction in this area should not be a problem.

3. Houston Street modification – (University drive to Hogg Street) Houston intersection with
University Drive is moved to the west - past the post office parking lot. Houston Street will
become one-way traveling to the south. The new roadway will require the relocation of
several existing lights and associated lighting circuits. The project will need to include all
new lighting for the roadway and the pedestrian pathways including lighting the circuits. It
will also require the storm sewer in the area to be modified to serve the new roadway
requirements. The new roadway will also cross an existing 12" and 24" Domestic Water line
(depth and condition unknown) and it is recommended that sections of these lines should be
replaced to the limits of construction.
University Drive Improvements
CBE-tsc Report
October 12, 2009
Page 3
Telecommunications/ Computing & Information Services
A portion of the City’s fiber network loop is located east of Wellborn Road and will likely be
impacted by the proposed realignment of the University Drive-Wellborn Road interchange. Since
the University also benefits from the use of the network, special concern should be given to the
project design and construction in this area. There is also computer network fiber in the area of
Blocker which could be affected by the proposed upgrades.

Traffic Flow
Questions remain regarding the project design and the overall traffic flows were discussed.
The points made include:
1. Will north bound traffic on Wellborn back up due to the slowing down of traffic exiting
east to University Drive?
2. Will east bound traffic on University Drive be negatively impacted by the desire for north
bound exiting traffic off of Wellborn attempting to cross all east bound traffic lanes to
turn left at Boyett?
3. Access to the Post Office’s parking area will be limited to a right turn from the east
bound lane of University Drive. West bound traffic will not have direct access to the
Post Office.
4. Currently, deliveries being made to Northgate merchants facing University Drive are
accomplished by delivery vehicles parking on University Drive, which blocks a lane or
more of traffic. There are no loading zones included in the current design to address the
current problem. A potential solution is to include a loading zone on the north end of the
College Main closure near Patricia Street.
Project Funding
The budget for the project is currently $2 million and is proposed to be constructed by the Texas
Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and funded by the City of College Station. Given that
the final design of the project is not yet complete, there are questions by all partners as to
whether the current budget will be sufficient to accomplish the project. Depending on the final
scope of the project, there may be additional questions from the Finance Division regarding
the source of the funds for this project, especially if there is any change in the
expectation/agreement for the University to participate financially.

Procurement & Logistic Services

Based on the current plan for the area, no problems are foreseen by the University’s Procurement
& Logistical Services.
Transportation Services
Transportation Services supports the proposed pedestrian and bike safety improvement project at
College Main/Houston Street. The project will result in no net loss of surface parking and will
enhance the safe movement of bikes and pedestrians from the residential areas north of
University Drive to campus.
Asbury Street Turn Lanes
Transportation Services asks that changes to the traffic lanes on Asbury be incorporated into this
project. These changes include providing one left-turn only lane, one left turn/through lane and
one right-turn only lane from Asbury onto University Drive.
University Drive Improvements
CBE-tsc Report
October 12, 2009
Page 4

Parking
The current proposal does not contemplate any changes in the number of parking spaces. The
Post Office parking will be maintained with access by a one-way portion of Houston Street. The
Postal drive-up mail boxes will be maintained. The final design should allow access to collect
the mail left in the boxes without hindering the flow of traffic and endangering Postal employees.

Security and Safety

Environmental Health and Safety has no concerns with the proposed project and the upgrades
included in this project are recommended to proceed.
Public and University Community Review/Input
Community Input
The Texas Department of Transportation has held two public input sessions. The sessions were
held in the Northgate area and while public at large was invited, the participants were largely
North Gate merchants and others with special interests in the district.
University Community Input
At this point there is concern that the University Community has not had a chance go voice their
feelings about the project. A future meeting, meant to solicit the input from the University
Community, primarily from students and faculty will be held before the final design of the
project is complete.
U.S. Post Office Input
The management of the Post Office has been contacted and is supportive of the current plan to
change Houston Street to one-way southbound. The design for access to the drive-up mail boxes
was endorsed.
The CBE-tsc is pleased to offer this report. The general consensus was that the project be given the university’s
conceptual approval and proceed to implementation as the specific points are resolved in the final design
processes. The subcommittee members would welcome further inquiries related to this analysis.

Sincerely,

James Massey
Chairman, CBE-technical sub committee
Director
Office of Facilities Coordination
Attachment
CC: CBE-tsc members
 University Drive Improvements

Project Overview
ƒ Pedestrian Safety ƒ Budget: $ 2 million
ƒ Partners ƒ Scope
ƒ Texas Dept of ƒ Wellborn Rd to Asbury
Transportation ƒ Boyett Intersection
ƒ City of College Station ƒ Houston St Changes
ƒ TAMU* ƒ College Main Closure
ƒ Right-of-Way ƒ Campus Traffic Flow
Acquistition(s) ƒ Stakeholder Input

*Approved by the TAMUS BOR

Source: TxDOT
October 2009
 University Drive Improvements

College Main
Church Ave

Lodge
1 st St
Patricia St

Tauber
A&M UMC
rn Road
Wellbo

University Drive

Post O
ffice

Hotard Hall

Asbury Street
Houston St
Hogg

Source: TxDOT
October 2009