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North Tarrant Express Team Offers Billion Dollar Plan To Region

TxDOT Commission approves conditional award

AUSTIN – Today, the Texas Transportation Commission conditionally awarded the private sector team’s proposal by NTE Mobility Partners to plan, finance, design, construct, operate and maintain 13 miles of Northeast Loop Interstate 820 and SH 121/183 (Airport Freeway) from Interstate 35W to the SH 121 split in Tarrant County. In addition, NTE Mobility Partners will provide financial and development plans to improve the rest of the corridor.

Mobility and air quality in North Texas will greatly improve as this partnership leverages limited gas-tax dollars for an estimated $2 billion initial investment that nearly doubles the existing number of lanes and provides long-term maintenance. Construction on the 13-mile North Tarrant Express corridor would begin in 2010 after financial close on the contract later this year.

The project will rebuild the existing I-820 and SH 121/ 183 highways, add two toll-managed “express” lanes in each direction, improve frontage roads and add auxiliary lanes along the corridor. Direct connection, managed lane ramps from north and southbound I-35W to I-820 will also provide mobility improvements to that interchange’s bottleneck.

“This public-private partnership is a tool that the region and TxDOT have supported to put the long-awaited North Tarrant Express improvements on a fast track. Not only will the project bring thousands of jobs to the region, the reliable mobility will keep the North Texas economy viable and attractive to businesses staying here and relocating here, “ said Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley.

The award is conditional until the team’s successful financial close which is expected by the end of 2009. In 2010, right of way acquisition and construction will begin. I-820 received environmental clearance from the Federal Highway Administration in December. A public hearing for SH 121/183 is expected for this spring with environmental clearance soon after.

“The NTE is a long-awaited transportation project in the Metroplex, which I know drivers look forward to using," said Texas Transportation Commissioner Bill Meadows. "Today's announcement is an important signal that local leaders, the private sector and TxDOT can find opportunities to work together to meet our state’s transportation challenges.”

NTE Mobility Partners has proposed improvements and long-term operations and maintenance estimated at $2 billion by leveraging up to $600 million in available gas tax dollars. As I-820 and SH 121/183 are the most congested roadways in North Texas, this public-private partnership nearly doubles the capacity and provides seamless mobility from I-35W to the SH 121 split. This is years ahead what limited gas tax dollars could provide.

"The North Tarrant Express is a high priority project for the region's mobility and air quality conformity plans. Along with the LBJ Project and DFW Connector, these projects will provide a framework of key transportation improvements for North Texas' drivers in the coming years," said Dallas City Councilwoman Linda Koop, chairwoman of the North Central Texas Council of Governments Regional Transportation Council.

TxDOT will retain ownership of these state roadways and will conduct regular reviews/audits to ensure a quality project and operations. Through the development of this comprehensive development agreement (CDA), the local cities, Tarrant County and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG’s) Regional Transportation Council gave significant input on the North Tarrant Express and on many of the agreement’s details, such as the managed lane toll policy. The importance of local involvement will continue to be vital as the rest of the corridor is planned for development.

Concurrent to the advancement of the 13-mile North Tarrant Express corridor, the NTE Mobility Partners will develop master financial and construction plans for the rest of the corridor. This plan will begin by this summer and due by the end of 2010.

More information is available on this corridor at: www.txdot.gov. KEYWORD: North Tarrant Express. More information about NTE Mobility Partners is also available.

Media contacts:

Jodi Hodges
Fort Worth District
Public Information Officer
(817) 370-6737

Michael Peters
Fort Worth District
Public Information Officer
(817) 370-6846