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Transportation Commission Approves Deal to Advance Three Projects in North Texas

SH 161, Chisholm Trail and Southwest Parkway all move forward with vote

DALLAS –The Texas Transportation Commission voted today to approve the terms of an agreement between the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), advancing plans to develop the SH 161, Chisholm Trail (CT) and Southwest Parkway (SWP) projects. The agreement was originally announced October 15 and has already been approved by NTTA.

The agreement calls for NTTA to develop SH 161 and for TxDOT to provide a toll equity loan to guarantee payment of eligible costs associated with the development, operation and maintenance of the SH 161 toll project. The partners also agreed to waive market valuation on CT and combine this project with SWP to enhance the project’s feasibility and expedite its delivery. Subject to the NTTA establishing feasibility and previously-programmed Regional Transportation Council funds remaining committed to these projects, the NTTA will deliver the entire SWP/CT project and TxDOT will be relieved of its financial commitment to build major interchanges on SWP.

“This agreement continues to advance TxDOT’s efforts to improve mobility,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Bill Meadows. “NTTA is a great partner for TxDOT as we move forward together with work on these projects. We are sharing risk, sharing responsibility and building three important roads for the Metroplex.”

NTTA will commit an equity contribution of $400 million to be used on the development of these projects. After exercising its option to develop, finance, construct and operate the SH 161 project, the NTTA retains the discretion to not undertake the project for any reason, including negative rating impacts to the NTTA System. The NTTA retains the same discretion to not undertake the SWP/CT project.

“This partnership is a great thing for North Texas motorists,” said Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton. “The development of these substantial projects will reduce congestion and support the health of the Texas economy.”

Located in southwestern Dallas County, the SH 161 project is an approximately 11.5-mile link in the growing loop around Dallas County. It starts at SH 183 just south of the terminus of the President George Bush Turnpike and ends at IH 20. Designed as a limited access toll road, it will open as an all-electronic toll road on a phased basis starting in August of 2009.

Southwest Parkway, in its entirety, and Chisholm Trail combine to form a 28-mile roadway that will extend from the Fort Worth Central Business District in Tarrant County to northern Johnson County.

The Texas Department of Transportation

The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state’s transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov.