10-09. Attachment H - 2020-2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan.pdf

amarillo metropolitan transportation plan

2020-2045

AMARILLO METROPOLITAN

TRANSPORTATION PLAN

AMARILLO URBAN

TRANSPORTATION STUDY

TRANSPORTATION PLAN

Prepared By:

PLANNING ORGANIZATION

Approved: October 17, 2019

Effective: October 21, 2019

Revised:

Update Due: October 21, 2024.

In Conjunction with:

CITY OF AMARILLO

TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

POTTER COUNTY

RANDALL COUNTY

CITY OF CANYON

This report was funded in part through grant[s] from the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The views and opinions of the authors [or agency] expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the U. S. Department of Transportation.

AMARILLO METROPOLITAN PLANNING ORGANIZATION

POLICY COMMITTEE

Voting Members

Ginger Nelson, Chairman Mayor City of Amarillo

Eddy Sauer City Commissioner City of Amarillo

Jared Miller City Manager City of Amarillo

Brian Crawford, P.E. District Engineer TxDOT

Kit Black, P.E. Dir. of Transportation Planning & Development TxDOT

Judge Nancy Tanner County Judge Potter County

H.R. Kelly County Commissioner Potter County

Judge Ernie Houdashell County Judge Randall County

Mark Benton. County Commissioner Randall County

Kyle Ingham Dir. of Panhandle Regional Planning Commission PRPC

Jon Behrens City Manager City of Canyon

Ex-Officio Members

The Honorable Mac Thornberry U. S. Representative th Congressional

District of Texas

The Honorable Kel Seliger Senator st Texas State

Senatorial District

The Honorable John Smithee State Representative th Texas State

Representative District

The Honorable Walter T. Price State Representative th Texas State

Representative District

Non-Member Advisors and Staff Coordinators

Travis Muno MPO Director MPO

Cody Balzen Senior Transportation Planner MPO

Brianna Mills Management Analyst – Transit MPO

Anthony Jones FHWA

Phillip Tindall Transportation Planning & Program Division TxDOT TPP

Terry Nix Transportation Planner TxDOT – Amarillo

Richard Neill Public Transportation Coordinator TxDOT – Amarillo

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 INTRODUCTION

Introduction Legal Basis for Transportation Planning History of Transportation Planning in Amarillo The Planning Area Transportation Planning Process

2.0 METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN REQUIREMENTS

Introduction Key Factors of MAP–21 Key Factors of FAST Act Environmental Mitigation and Consultation Endangered Species Planning and Environmental Linkages Title VI and Environmental Justice Travel and Tourism Capital Investment Stormwater Drainage Public Participation Public Comment

3.0 TRENDS IN THE AMARILLO URBAN AREA

Introduction Population Trends Population Projections Labor Force and Economic Trends Economic Projections Travel Trends Means of Transportation Travel Time Vehicles Available Conclusions

4.0 GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Mission Goals Opportunities and Limitations Climate Change / Greenhouse Gases Strategies

5.0 PLAN ELEMENTS

Introduction Roadway Plan Introduction Project Selection Process Existing Facilities Opportunities and Limitations Policy Considerations Corridor Studies

AMARILLO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2020-2045 iii

Operations and Maintenance Safety Total Project Costs Year of Expenditure Analysis Illustrative Project List Bicycle and Pedestrian Plan Introduction Existing Facilities Opportunities and Limitations Safe Routes to School Policy Considerations Plan Elements Transit Plan Introduction Fixed Route System Spec-Trans Service Inventory of Physical Assets Revenue Opportunities and Limitations Policy Considerations Plan Elements Section 5310 Transit Service Section 5311 Transit Service Greyhound Transportation Alternative Project Introduction Potential projects Congestion / Demand Management Strategies Introduction Data Collection and Monitoring Performance Standards Identification of Congested Areas Identification of Strategies Implementation of Strategies Performance Measures Performance Measures Evaluation Report

6.0 FINANCIAL PLAN

Introduction Total Project Costs and Year of Expenditure Funding Roadway Plan Public Transportation Plan Traffic Operations, Bicycle, Pedestrian, and Maintenance Plan Operations and Maintenance Inflation Rate Gap Funding Funding Assessment 2015-2040

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7.0 APPENDIX

A. Glossary B. Project Prioritization Methodology C. Public Comment D. Performance Measure Resolutions

LIST OF TABLES

2.1 Endangered and Threatened Species

3.1 Population Projections 2020–2050

3.2 Labor Force Projections

3.3 Travel Time to Work

3.4 Vehicles Available 2017

5.1 Operations and Maintenance Costs

5.2 Roadway Project List 2020-2045

5.3 Illustrative List 2020-2045

5.4 Safe Routes to School Projects – Bicycle/Pedestrian Projects

5.5 Short Range Plan – Transit Projects

5.6 Long Range Plan – Transit Projects

5.7 Transportation Alternatives Funds

5.8 Transportation Alternatives Projects

5.9 PM 1 Evaluation

5.10 PM 2 Evaluation

5.11 PM 2 Bridge Condition

5.12 PM 3 Evaluation

5.13 TAM Target Evaluation

5.14 Project Matrix for Performance Measures

6.1 Financial Summary

7.1 Public Involvement

LIST OF MAPS

1.1 Amarillo MPO Planning Area

2.1 Travel & Tourism

5.1 Ports-to-Plains Corridor

5.2 2012 Truck Flow To, From, & Within Texas

5.3 Facility Tracking

5.4 Hazardous Cargo Routes

5.5 Fiscally Constrained Projects Map 2020-2045

5.6 Illustrative Projects Map 2020-2045

5.7 Amarillo City Hike & Bike Master Plan

5.8 Amarillo City Transit Fixed Route Service

5.9 Greyhound Transit Service

REVISIONS

Back to Table of Contents

SECTION 1.0

INTRODUCTION

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1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) is a document that covers a 25 year planning horizon. The plan provides a multi-modal approach to the future transportation needs, of not only the City of Amarillo, but for the entire metropolitan area. The purpose of the plan is to make certain that adequate transportation facilities are planned for the future growth of the metropolitan area. Transportation decisions need to be made using a comprehensive planning process that includes the public and considers land use, development, safety, and security. The plan looks at roadway, transit, bicycle, pedestrian, air, and rail facilities. It also addresses freight movement and congestion management strategies.

The MTP is a federally required document that has been prepared by the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization in accordance with the requirements specified in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) of 2015. The plan is designed to be a flexible guide in directing the local transportation needs. As required by Federal Law, the MTP will be updated a minimum of every five years to insure the goals and objectives of the plan are still applicable to the transportation needs of the study area.

BACKGROUND

Legal Basis for Transportation Planning In 1962, Congress passed the Federal Highway Act that addressed the need for transportation planning in urbanized areas. The Federal Highway Act states that after

July 1, 1965, federal funds cannot be used for highway construction in any city with a population over 50,000 unless the expenditures are in accordance with the findings of a comprehensive, cooperative and continuing transportation study. In an effort to comply with this, the Amarillo Urban Transportation Study (AUTS) area was formed. The founding members of this study included the City of Amarillo, both Potter and Randall

Counties, and the former Texas Highway Department. Today, the AUTS, now better known as the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Area (Planning Area) includes City of

Amarillo, City of Canyon, the Village of Lake Tanglewood, the Village of Timbercreek

Canyon, the Village of Palisades and unincorporated portions of Potter and Randall

Counties.

Since the Federal Highway Act of 1962, the federal government has enacted several subsequent actions. All of these actions have been in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the transportation planning process. Some of the most significant actions that address the local level planning were included in the 1975 Joint Regulations on Urban Transportation Planning. This joint act between the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Urban Mass Transit Authority (UMTA) required, as a

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condition for receiving federal assistance, the designation of a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) in each urban area by the Governor of the State. This designation requires the MPO to carry out transportation functions in conjunction with other governmental bodies in a prescribed planning area.

History of Transportation Planning in Amarillo The Governor of the State of Texas has designated the City of Amarillo as the fiscal agent for the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO). Acting through its Transportation Policy Committee, the MPO, in cooperation with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Panhandle Regional Planning Commission, Potter and Randall Counties, the City of Canyon and the City of Amarillo, administers the transportation planning process in the Amarillo urbanized area. This designation was renewed by contract with TxDOT in September 2018. The contract reflects changes in the planning process brought about by the FAST Act and previous federal transportation legislation, such as ISTEA, TEA-21, SAFETEA-LU, and MAP-21.

The Amarillo FY 2020–2045 Metropolitan Transportation Plan was developed in accordance with regulations set forth in the FAST Act, adopted December 4, 2015. The MPO is responsible, along with the State of Texas, for carrying out the provisions of the FAST Act under Section 1101; MAP–21 under Sections 1101 and 1105; SAFETEA-LU under Sections 1107 and 6001; ISTEA & TEA-21, under Title 23, United States Code, Section 134 (The Urban Transportation Planning Process), and further regulated by Title 23 Code of Federal Regulations 420 and 450.

The Planning Area The transportation planning process in the Planning Area is limited to the boundaries illustrated by Map 1.1. The boundary includes the City of Amarillo, City of Canyon, the Village of Lake Tanglewood, the Village of Timbercreek Canyon, the Village of Palisades and unincorporated portions of Potter and Randall Counties. It corresponds to that area of the region that is likely to become urbanized in the next 20 years. These boundaries also correspond to limits shown in the Travel Demand Model prepared by the TxDOT.

Transportation Planning Process Transportation planning is a multi-disciplinary process that involves developing and evaluating transportation plans and improvement programs. Transportation plans are created to provide for the anticipated needs of the community. In order to meet those needs the planning process must be flexible and continuously monitored to accommodate the changes that may occur in land use, economic conditions or other factors that may influence travel patterns.

As part of the transportation planning process, the MPO is responsible for preparing the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP). The TIP is a program of projects that are financially constrained by several different categories of funding sources. The TIP is based on a four-year timetable and is updated every two years. Projects included in the TIP are programmed to begin construction during a prescribed year. The criteria used

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to evaluate projects included in the TIP depend on the type of project and how far the project goes toward meeting the goals of the MPO. The items below include the major elements that are considered in selecting projects:

Safety

Preservation of the Capital Investment

Congestion Relief

Environmental Protection and Enhancement

Economic Development

Aesthetics

Resiliency

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Map 1.1 Amarillo MPO Planning Area

SECTION 2.0

PLANNING ELEMENTS

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2.0 PLANNING ELEMENTS

Introduction Federal regulation requires that long-range transportation plans of metropolitan areas be based on a twenty-year time horizon. The plans are required to identify short- and long-range strategies and actions for implementation of the objectives. Near term transportation demand and congestion management techniques must also be addressed. The plan is required to address different modes of transportation and must be financially constrained. A financial plan must be included to provide a reasonable estimation of funding sources for the life of the plan. Previous federal law known as MAP-21 required 8 planning factors to be addressed in planning documents. The latest federal act known as the FAST Act added two additional planning factors to be addressed. The planning factors are as follows:

Key Factors of MAP – 21:

Support the economic vitality of the metropolitan area, especially by enabling global competitiveness, productivity, and efficiency: The short- and long-range planning process and projects work to support the economic vitality of the MPO area by improving transportation infrastructure. Transportation projects within the area will enhance accessibility and safety to ensure efficient movement of people and goods.

Increase the safety of the transportation system for all motorized and non-motorized users: The MPO planning process is consistent with TxDOT's Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP) and uses the Texas highway safety planning process as a foundation upon which to identify the goals, strategies, performance measures, and objectives for the MTP planning process.

Increase the ability of the transportation system to support homeland security and to safeguard the personal security of all motorized and non-motorized users: The Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee has developed plans for addressing all types of emergencies and security for the personal security of the residents of Potter and Randall Counties. These plans include disasters caused by weather or other events. Designated hazardous material routes were developed and approved by the State of Texas and are a part of this plan. The Randall County Judge, a MPO Transportation Policy Committee member, serves on the Potter & Randall County Local Emergency Planning Committee.

o Amarillo City Transit has had an adopted Safety, Security, and Emergency Preparedness Plan since 2005. The plan includes a description of the transit system; a description of the management of the security plan, including specific roles and responsibilities;

threat and vulnerability identifications and assessments; and an

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annual program of work. The plan is updated every three years, during FTA’s Triennial Review of Amarillo City Transit. The most recent update was in 2017; the next update will be in 2020. This review process allows the Emergency Preparedness Plan to address all federal requirements.

Increase accessibility and mobility of people and freight: The MPO has a schedule for conducting traffic counts to monitor the traffic patterns in the area. Using the results, the congested hot spots and problem areas are identified and recommendations are presented for transportation improvements. The City of Amarillo has synchronized signals at over 70% of the signalized intersections to improve the free flow of traffic. TxDOT and the City cooperate to combine both highway management and arterial traffic signal timing for response to incidents and congestion. A Traffic Management Center operated by TxDOT allows faster response to congestion, collision, or weather related incidents. The MPO continues to explore Access Management Improvements to minimize congestion.

o The roads and streets in Potter and Randall Counties and the City of Amarillo are laid out on a grid system and continue to develop in square mile sections. This type of development has provided a smooth transition from the rural county roads to urban city streets.

As development occurs along the perimeter of the City, the City of

Amarillo Paving Policy, adopted by resolution on March 27, 1984, requires the developer to construct paving improvements located adjacent to or within the new subdivision. These thoroughfares continue to provide continuous links between the urban and rural areas.

o The MPO is aware that some transit needs in the city have not been met as desired. Amarillo City Transit has been forced to limit service due to limited funding for operations. This has caused the City of Amarillo to look at alternatives. Amarillo City Transit has recently made changes to their routes to address some of these limitations. These changes are based on a study that was conducted in 2017. Alternative measures will be implemented as funding resources are identified. Solutions will be developed to allow local transit services to expand or decrease headway times as the city continues to grow. Development will be ongoing as funds become available.

o Freight mobility is also important for the MPO area. ITS projects to promote signalized intersections to eliminate congestion and improve truck freight mobility are part of planned MTP projects.

Protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life and promote consistency between transportation improvements and State and local planned growth and economic development patterns: An effective transportation system provides the basis for activities in parks, recreation areas, and

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historic sites. The MPO has always promoted accessibility to these areas and will continue to look at addressing these needs through the identification of projects that will best serve these facilities. The MPO has identified and contacted the various environmental resource agencies and will provide information as necessary to include them in the planning process. The MPO is presently in attainment for all air quality categories.

If any of the MPO area is classified as non-attainment in the future, the MTP will be revised to include projects that will reduce vehicle emissions.

The MPO uses GIS tools, including those developed by the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 and other agencies. Tools, such as GIS-ST and NEPAssist, are used to evaluate environmental mitigation activities within the MPO planning boundary.

Enhance the integration and connectivity of the transportation system, across and between modes, for people and freight: The MPO supports the improvement of transportation services for the elderly, people with disabilities and others having no access to personal private transportation or who are otherwise unable to drive. Projects included in this MTP also incorporate bicycle and pedestrian facilities into the design of roadways as appropriate and seek to meet or exceed minimum standards of accessibility. The projects contained within the MTP consider innovative land development patterns and site designs to prevent additional congestion and improve accessibility. Projects that protect and enhance the environment, promote energy conservation, improve the quality of life are paramount. This plan seeks to ensure that appropriate types, connections, and levels of freight transportation service are provided to the entire region. Those that promote consistency between transportation improvements and planned growth and economic development patterns are considered vital.

Promote efficient system management and operation: There are many projects that have taken place and will continue to take place in order to reduce the number and length of stop delays associated with vehicular traffic. Traffic light synchronization systems are in place to reduce vehicle stops and delays leading to savings in fuel consumption and lost time. The MPO will implement a Congestion Management Process upon becoming a TMA. The implementation of a Congestion Management System aids in energy conservation. The Comprehensive Land Use Plan and policy decisions made by the City of Amarillo, affects short- and long-range transportation plans. The ideal preservation of rights-of-way for the local governing agencies is securing the right-of-way through dedication. The City of Amarillo, through the City’s Code of Ordinances, requires the dedication of land at the time of platting. This aids the determination of rights-of-way necessary for future transportation corridors. Potter and Randall Counties also receive right-of-way through dedication of land. In addition to the traffic volume data collected by TxDOT and the City of Amarillo, the City collects traffic volume data on

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approximately 180 intersections and 350 “1/2 mile” counts in the metropolitan area. The Amarillo MPO and the City Of Amarillo are regional stakeholders along with TxDOT in the Amarillo Regional ITS Architecture and Deployment Plan. This system provides transportation and emergency management services through the use of resources to maximize safety and mobility to the public consists of being able to observe ‘real time’ traffic and includes a highway management system.

Amarillo Regional ITS has changeable dynamic message signing and incident management cameras.

Emphasize the preservation of the existing transportation system:

Improvement projects to rehabilitate the existing transportation system are one of the MPO’s top priorities. The existing transportation infrastructure is of utmost importance in order to continue providing a safe and reliable system. One of the MPO objectives is to secure funding to continue the maintenance and operational enhancements to the existing street network. Another goal is operational improvements that will increase traffic flow and capacities.

Key Factors of the FAST Act:

Improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system and reduce or mitigate stormwater impacts of surface transportation:

The MPO has GIS mapping capabilities. This helps identify flood plains and playa lakes in the vicinity of future projects. TxDOT handles the storm-water runoff on the on-system roads. All projects are compliant with the TxDOT design manual or the local public agency design guides.

Enhance travel and tourism: The MPO will add links to our website to include upcoming tourist events and also other relevant maps. We will reach out to colleges and universities for events that they may be conducting to aid in the movement of traffic. The MPO is also working with Amarillo City Transit on having links to their website as they roll out changes to their fixed route service.

Environmental Mitigation and Consultation The requirements of MAP–21 were written to provide a more consistent consideration of environmental issues for transportation projects, from planning initiatives through project development. The provisions in the FAST Act look to incorporate the changes aimed at project delivery and promote innovation. These changes will improve innovation and efficiency in the development of projects, through the planning and environmental review process, to project delivery. Typically, an MTP or other regional long-range plans do not involve specific federal approvals or actions that are likely to cause a significant environmental impact. As such, an MTP doesn’t need a NEPA Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to meet these requirements. The FAST Act does, however build on MAP-21, which required Metropolitan Transportation Plans, to discuss potential environmental mitigation activities, to be developed in consultation

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with federal, state, and tribal, wildlife, land management, and regulatory agencies (resource agencies). Those activities include those aspects of 23 CFR 450.104, which states, in part:

Serve to avoid, minimize, or compensate for impacts associated with implementation of the transportation plan;

Consider neighborhoods, homes, businesses, cultural resources, parks, recreation areas, wetlands, water sources, forests, agriculture, etc.;

Regional scope may not necessarily address individual projects.

To assist in the NEPA process, Region 6 EPA has an assessment tool to systematically consider single and cumulative environmental impacts. The Region 6 EPA GIS Screening Tools, such as NEPAssist are designed to facilitate a better understanding of environmental effects and to allow the EPA to share technical and regulatory data with industry, the public, and other stakeholders. As required by TEA-21, E.O. 13274, and Section 6001 of MAP–21 related to linking planning and NEPA, TxDOT is using NEPAssist as an environmental streamlining tool on transportation projects.

The Amarillo MPO continues to seek opportunities to join in these discussions and make use of the NEPAssist tools in an effort to determine the potential impact that activities outlined in the MTP may have on other regional planning efforts. While consultation with our resource agencies occurs as part of the outreach process, the discussion has been enhanced. In compliance with 23 CFR 450.324 paragraphs (f) (7) and (g), the Amarillo MPO and its member entities support a proactive approach toward land use management, environmental protection, and historic preservation. The Amarillo MPO continues to cooperate and consult with participating entities and TxDOT to achieve a responsible long range transportation plan that addresses land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation. Resource agencies include the City of Amarillo, the EPA & TCEQ, the Texas State Historical Commission, and Texas Parks & Wildlife, among others. This MTP fully supports the Texas Transportation Plan 2050 initiatives and has been developed in partnership with the State of Texas.

The collaboration and consultation with existing groups and resource agencies throughout the planning process, along with the study of potential impacts of the MTP, will allow environmentally important regional planning efforts to be addressed.

Endangered Species One of the environmental concerns when dealing with transportation projects is the wildlife encountered. Wildlife can be affected in a variety of ways including construction, increased traffic or increased stormwater runoff from paved surfaces. The United States Department of the Interior, United States Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS), and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) maintains records indicating the species of wildlife endangered or threatened in Potter and Randall Counties. These lists are found below in Table 2.1.

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TABLE 2.1

Endangered and Threatened Species

Group Common

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Birds Piping Plover Charadrius melodus Threatened

Piping plovers use wide, flat, open, sandy beaches with very little grass or other vegetation.

Nesting territories often include small creeks or wetlands.

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Birds Interior Least tern Sterna antillarum Endangered Endangered

The subspecies is listed only when inland (more than 50 miles from a coastline); nests along sand and gravel bars within braided streams, rivers; also know to nest on man-made structures (inland beaches, wastewater treatment plants, gravel

Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Birds Red knot Calidris canutus rufa Threatened

Red knots migrate long distances in flocks northward through the contiguous United States mainly April-June, southward July-October. A small plump-bodied, short-necked shorebird that in breeding plumage, typically held from May through August, is a distinctive and unique pottery orange color. Its bill is dark, straight and, relative to other shorebirds, short-to-medium in length. After molting in late summer, this species is in a drab gray-and-white non-breeding plumage, typically held from September through April. In the non-breeding plumage, the knot might be confused with the omnipresent Sanderling. During this plumage, look for the knot’s prominent pale eyebrow and whitish flanks with dark barring.

The Red Knot prefers the shoreline of coast and bays and also uses mudflats during rare inland encounters. Primary prey items include coquina clam (Donax spp.) on beaches and dwarf surf clam (Mulinia lateralis) in bays, at least in the Laguna Madre. Wintering Range includes- Aransas, Brazoria, Calhoun, Cameron, Chambers, Galveston, Jefferson, Kennedy, Kleberg, Matagorda, Nueces, San Patricio, and Willacy. Habitat: Primarily seacoasts on tidal flats and beaches, herbaceous wetland, and Tidal flat/shore.

Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Birds American Peregrine

Falcon

Falco peregrines anatum Threatened year-round resident and local breeder in west Texas, nests in tall cliff eyries; also, migrant across state from more northern breeding areas in US and Canada, winters along coast and farther south; occupies wide range of habitats during migration, including urban, concentrations along coast and barrier islands; low-altitude migrant, stopovers at leading landscape edges such as lake shores, coastlines, and barrier islands.

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Birds Bald Eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Threatened found primarily near rivers and large lakes; nests in tall trees or on cliffs near water;

communally roosts, especially in winter; hunts live prey, scavenges, and pirates food from other birds

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Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Birds Peregrine

Falcon Flaco peregrinus Threatened both subspecies migrate across the state from more northern breeding areas in US and Canada to winter along coast and farther south; subspecies (F. p. anatum) is also a resident breeder in west Texas; the two subspecies’ listing statuses differ, F.p. tundrius is no longer listed in Texas; but because the subspecies are not easily distinguishable at a distance, reference is generally made only to the species level; see subspecies for habitat.

Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Birds Whooping

Crane Grus americana Endangered Endangered potential migrant via plains throughout most of state to coast; winters in coastal marshes of Aransas,Calhoun, and Refugio counties

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Mammals Black Bear Ursus americanus Threatened bottomland hardwoods and large tracts of inaccessible forested areas

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Mammals Black-footed ferret

Mustela nigripes

Threatened extirpated; inhabited prairie dog towns in the general area

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Mammals Grey Wolf Canis Lupus Threatened Threatened extirpated; formerly known throughout the western two-thirds of the state in forests, brushlands, or grasslands

Name Scientific

Name Federal

List State List

Mammals Palo Duro mouse

Peromyscus truei comcanche Threatened rocky, juniper-mesquite-covered slopes of steep-walled canyons of the eastern edge of the Llano Estacado; juniper woodlands in canyon country of the panhandle; primarily nocturnal https://ecos.fws.gov/docs/species_images/doc3703-250px-thumbnail.jpg

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Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Reptiles Texas Horned lizard

Phrynosoma cornutum

Threatened open, arid and semi-arid regions with sparse vegetation, including grass, cactus, scattered brush or scrubby trees; soil may vary in texture from sandy to rocky; burrows into soil, enters rodent burrows, or hides under rock when inactive; breeds March- September

Name

Scientific Name

Federal List

State List

Fish Arkansas

River shiner Notropis girardi

Threatened Threatened typically in turbid waters of broad shallow channels of main streams, over mostly silt and shifting sand bottom

Some of the potential impacts to wildlife are removal or fragmentation of endangered species habitat, disturbance of endangered species nesting regimes, and disturbance of habitats nests for wildlife and migratory birds. Some of the potential mitigation activities would be to use selective cutting and clearing, bridge sensitive areas, replace or restore natural areas using native species to the individual regions, avoid nesting season, compensate for impacts through on– and off-site mitigation such as a habitat conservation plan or wildlife bridges/crossings/tunnels or creating habitat corridors.

Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) The “Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users” (SAFETEA-LU) opened the door to Federal regulations on linking of statewide and metropolitan transportation planning, and the NEPA processes. The FAST Act furthered this connection with reducing requirements to encourage greater use of the collaborative Planning and Environmental Linkages (PEL) process. PEL seeks to streamline the project development and environmental review processes by improving coordination among stakeholders. PEL encourages agencies to adopt an integrated approach, which addresses transportation and environmental goals while considering quality of life.

PEL emphasizes the linking of planning and NEPA activities — specifically, solidifying the connection between systems-level planning and project-level decision making. The purpose of PEL is to coordinate planning with the NEPA process in an attempt to streamline project delivery and improve planning- and project-level decision making.

PEL enables agencies to better communicate and coordinate earlier in the decision making process. The approach provides a broader perspective that reaches beyond NEPA requirements to include consultation with resource agencies and others concerning mitigation, conservation plans, regional habitat mapping, and more.

PEL's most pointed goal is to complete certain activities in the planning process by encouraging planning and environmental staff at transportation and resource agencies

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to share tools and improve coordination. The approach minimizes duplication of efforts and reduces delays in transportation improvements, and can make the entire life cycle of a transportation project more seamless and sensitive to environmental resources.

The PEL project development process is documented through preparation of EISs or environmental assessments. Analytical tools such as checklists, databases, and GIS can provide planners, environmentalists, and engineers with more detailed information about proposed projects and their surrounding areas. These tools can facilitate data sharing within organizations and among agencies, enhance understanding of projects, minimize miscommunication between partners, and support more informed decision making. The best tools support access by multiple agencies and their departments so all stakeholders have common and current information.

Title VI and Environmental Justice A 1994 Presidential Executive Order 12898 directed every federally funded agency to make environmental justice part of its mission by identifying and addressing the effects of all programs, policies, and activities on "minority populations and low-income populations." The MPO’s environmental justice initiatives accomplish this goal by involving the potentially effected public in developing transportation projects that fit within the community without sacrificing safety or mobility. In an effort to reaffirm its commitment to environmental justice principles and integrating them into its programs, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) revised its environmental justice strategy in 2012 through a memorandum of understanding on Environmental Justice.

There are three fundamental environmental justice principles:

To avoid, minimize, or mitigate disproportionately high and adverse human health and environmental effects, including social and economic effects, on minority populations and low-income populations.

To ensure the full and fair participation by all potentially affected communities in the transportation decision-making process.

To prevent the denial of, reduction in, or significant delay in the receipt of benefits by minority and low-income populations.

The MPO serves as the primary forum where the public, local agencies, and TxDOT develop local transportation plans and programs that address the urban area's needs.

The MPO helps local public officials understand how Title VI and environmental justice requirements improve planning and decision-making. The MPO continues to:

enhance our capabilities to ensure that the short- and long-range transportation plans comply with Title VI.

identify residential, employment, and transportation patterns of low-income and minority populations so that their needs can be identified and addressed and that the benefits and burdens of transportation investments are fairly distributed.

evaluate and improve the public participation process to eliminate participation barriers and engage minority and low-income populations in transportation planning initiatives.

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During the creation of this plan, consideration was taken to mindfully include interactions and communications with EJ areas. In an attempt to maximize participation, public meetings were scheduled at times and locations that worked best for the communities, with certain meetings being strategically located in close proximity to EJ neighborhoods for accessibility. The City of Amarillo follows a road overlay plan that focuses on overlaying a quarter section of the city each year for a four year full city rotation. This helps establish a unbiased plan for road rehab of the city.

Travel and Tourism Amarillo has a strategic position in that it is at the intersection of the I-40 corridor and the Ports to Plains corridor. According to the Amarillo Chamber of Commerce, travel and tourism is one of the city’s largest industries, serving nearly 2 million overnight visitors last year. The travel industry annually generates more than $700 million in direct spending to the local economy through hotels, meals, shopping and various other attractions. Links to external agencies can be found at the MPO’s Link Page.

Some of the most popular tourist destinations in the Amarillo area are:

Amarillo Botanical Gardens

American Quarter Horse Museum

Amarillo Civic Center

Big Texan Restaurant

Cadillac Ranch

Don Harrington Discovery Center

Globe-News Performing Arts Center

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Panhandle Plains Historical Museum

Route 66 Historic District

“TEXAS” – musical outdoor drama

Tri-State Fairgrounds

Wonderland Amusement Park

Tourists visiting the Amarillo area will have limited options when it comes to travel in the area. The most common means of travel is by personal vehicle. However, there are some other ways to travel around the area such as Greyhound Bus Lines, Limousine services, Taxi service, Public Transit, Uber and walking.

https://www.amarillo.gov/departments/planning-and-development-services/planning/metropolitan-planning-organization/links

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Map 2.1 Travel and Tourism

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Capital Investment Federal statutes and regulations dictate that Metropolitan Transportation Plans focus on capital investments and other strategies to reduce the vulnerability of existing transportation infrastructure to natural disasters. Some common local disasters are listed below:

The MPO must also consider projects and strategies to improve the resiliency and reliability of the transportation system as well as activities to reduce or mitigate stormwater runoff from transportation infrastructure.

Stormwater Drainage The City of Amarillo is located in an area that has two different geographic features.

The area mainly north of I-40 contains draws, creeks, and canyons. The area mainly south of I-40 contains many natural depressions. When these depressions fill with water they are referred to as playa lakes. Many of these lakes only contain water after it rains. This gives Amarillo two different types of drainage systems. The north area drains through the local streets and storm sewer systems into the creeks, which then ultimately drain to the Canadian River. The south area drainage runs primarily through the local streets and storm sewer systems into the playa lakes. The playa lakes then hold water until it evaporates or is pumped out. The city operates pumps in some of these lakes in order to manage the storm water storage. The pumps are used to move the water to other lakes where it is then allowed to evaporate or discharge into the local creeks. Projects in Amarillo are built to specifications found in the City of Amarillo’s Stormwater Criteria Manual, and their Development Policy Manual. Projects built on TxDOT right-of-way must adhere to their Roadway Design Manual.

Floods Droughts

Extreme Heat Wildfires

Frozen Precipitation (Snow, Sleet, Rain) Tornados

Hail

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Map 2.2 Stormwater Drainage

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Public Participation Effective transportation planning must be responsive to the needs of the community and therefore effective public input is essential. The FAST Act requires the MPO to provide citizens, affected public agencies, freight transportation services, private providers of transportation, representatives of users of public transportation, the disabled community, users of pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and other interested parties with a reasonable opportunity to comment on the MTP, the TIP and other documents prepared by the MPO. FAST Act also requires the MPO to consult, as appropriate, with State and local agencies responsible for land use management, natural resources, environmental protection, conservation, and historic preservation concerning the development of long-and short- range transportation plans. The MPO maintains a website HUwww.amarillompo.orgUH that includes this MTP, the TIP, and other documents that the MPO produces.

The MPO Policy Committee adopted a FAST Act compliant Public Participation Plan on October 19, 2017, which encourages early and continuous public participation in the planning process. The Public Participation Plan can be found at:

HUhttp://www.amarillompo.orgUH. Communication is encouraged through the publication of public notices, agendas, and news releases. The MPO staff also seeks invitations from civic, social, educational, and business organizations to present information about the MPO planning process. The MPO has prepared literature to educate citizens and officials. Materials are available that discuss aspects of short- and long-range transportation planning, public participation, as well as information about local transportation initiatives.

As part of the public participation and interagency consultation efforts, the draft MTP was made available for review and comment to citizens, bicycle and pedestrian representatives, disabled representatives, federal, state, and local resource agencies, land use management, natural resource, environmental protection, and conservation, historic preservation agencies, in addition to transportation stakeholders with interest in the MPO planning area. The members of the MPO Technical Advisory Committee and the Policy Committee also reviewed the draft and public notices were released about the draft being placed on the MPO web page, in local libraries, and at the offices of the member agencies.

The MPO meets the requirements of the "adequate public notice of public involvement," by placing notices, calendar information, and press releases in the Amarillo Globe- News, the region’s largest daily newspaper publication.

Public comments Appendix C contains comments received during the public comment periods and public forums or hearings. Additionally copies of the notices of those public forums and hearing are included. Public meetings were held across the area. This includes Environmental Justice areas and the City of Canyon, which just recently was included in the planning boundary.

http://www.amarillompo.org/ https://www.amarillo.gov/home/showdocument?id=12437

SECTION 3.0

TRENDS IN THE

AMARILLO URBAN AREA

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3.0 TRENDS IN THE AMARILLO URBAN AREA

Planning for future transportation facilities requires evaluating many factors.

Demographic, economic and travel trend data are valuable tools for forecasting transportation needs that may exist in the future. Evaluating historic trends and future projections can be helpful in planning the transportation system of the future. A growing population and economy indicates that there will be an increased demand on the transportation system. The following is an evaluation of the population, work force, and travel trends in the Amarillo Metropolitan Area.

Population Trends The City of Amarillo has experienced varying growth rates over the past 100 years.

Population growth has been recorded for all entities in the Amarillo area, except for Potter County. From 1960 to 1970 Potter County showed a marked population decline.

This occurred primarily because of the closing of a local military base in 1968. Since that time, 2010 Census data shows Potter County to have a population of 121,073, which translates into a 34% increase since 1970. Potter County in 2017 had a population of 121,230. Randall County has continued to grow without impediment.

Randall County's growth rate, 16% between 1990 and 2000 as well as 16% between 2000 and 2010, 8% between 2010 and 2017, has fallen short of the State of Texas’ growth rate (21%).

The Planning Area, with an estimated 2020 population of 246,676 increased in size 12% between 2010 and 2020. The City of Amarillo, with a 2010 population of 190,695 grew 10% since 2000. Amarillo now ranks fourteenth in comparison with other Texas cities in total population. The 2010 recorded population for Potter County was 121,073, a 6.6% increase from 2000. Randall County’s recorded population for 2010 was 120,725, a 15.7% increase from 2000. Randall County’s 2017 population is 130,552.

Growth in the Planning Area has continued to move to the northwest and southwest portions of the City over the past decade, as is indicated by the rising population of Randall County which is located in the southern portion of the Planning Area. Other areas within the planning boundary have experienced population decreases due to declining birth rates, out migration, and housing stock reductions. These areas are primarily located in the central, north, and east portions of the City.

Population Projections Population characteristics–past, present, and future–are key indices of an area’s ability to adapt and adjust to changes in technical and economic trends; therefore, they are a key element of this plan.

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The population projections shown in Table 3.1 reflect estimates prepared by the City of Amarillo as well as the Texas Demographic Center. The City’s Planning Department prepared the projections for the City of Amarillo and the Planning Area geographic levels using a linear extrapolation model. The linear extrapolation model assumes that trends of the past are an accurate reflection of future growth trends. The percentage of change prior to year 2010 is applied at ten-year intervals to produce the future population estimates. State Data Center population estimates are used for all other geographic levels. State Data Center estimates are based on a cohort component with net migration model. This particular model assumes those trends in specific groups, or cohorts, such as, age, sex, and race/ethnicity of moderate net migration rates will characterize those of the future.

Table 3.1 Population Projections 2020-2050

Year Planning

Area City of

Amarillo Amarillo

MSA

Randall County

Potter County

2020 246,676 210,242 278,000 133,494 134,041

2030 276,277 231,266 306,787 148,264 147,734

2040 309,430 254,392 335,200 162,786 161,602

2050 346,562 279,831 363,218 177,431 175,083

Labor Force and Economic Trends The labor force and economic trends provide a good indication of the economic strength of an area. Over the last twenty years the Amarillo economy has been in a transition.

The crash of the oil industry in the 1980's forced the City from an oil and gas based economy to a more diversified service based economy. Over the last twenty years, employment in the agriculture, transportation, communications, and wholesale trade economic sector has slightly decreased. This decrease has been countered by a small increase in the number of persons working in finance, personal services, and entertainment. Within the last ten years, the largest growth of jobs has occurred in the arts, entertainment, and food service industries.

In 2010, the Amarillo Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) had 187,546 residents over the age of 16. Of this number, 126,871 were in the labor force. Ninety-five percent of the persons in the labor force were employed, which accounted for 120,151 workers.

Since 2000, the labor force in the MSA has increased by approximately 12%. The labor force in the City reached 97,515 in 2010, which is up 7.6% from 90,662 in 2000.

Economic Projections Employment growth for the Amarillo area for upcoming years is expected to be somewhat lower than that of the State. Growth is expected to occur in the services, AMARILLO METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION PLAN 2020-2045 24 government, and trade areas. Service related jobs, particularly those in health care and business, are expected to be the fastest growing sector of the economy. Manufacturing related jobs are anticipated to also increase. Agriculture, oil, and gas production, which have been the mainstay of the local economy, should experience continued growth in the future.