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What is the North Tarrant
Express? |
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The North Tarrant Express is a group of improvements to
critical highway corridors in North Tarrant County:
- I-820 from I-35W to the Northeast
Interchange, including a new I-35W interchange
- SH 121/SH 183 (Airport Freeway) from the
Northeast Interchange to SH 161
- I-35W from I-30 to SH 170
- I-820 from the Northeast Interchange to
Randol Mill Road
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When will construction
begin? |
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Construction is expected to begin in 2010 on 13 miles of Northeast Loop
Interstate 820 and SH 121/183 (Airport Freeway) from Interstate 35W to the SH
121 split in Tarrant County. Timing for the start of construction of the
remaining segments is yet to be determined.
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Will all segments be under
construction at the same time? |
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No. Construction will be done in phases as funding and
development strategies are determined. 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 summer 2009 and is due by the end of 2010.
As construction proceeds for the North Tarrant Express
and the DFW
Connector, TxDOT will minimize impacts and coordinate construction at both
entrances to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Both contracts include
coordination of construction sequencing to manage economic and mobility impacts.
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When will right of way
acquisition begin? |
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Right of way acquisition and utility relocation on Northeast Loop 820 and SH
121/183 will begin in early 2010.
Right of way acquisition on the remaining segments of the North Tarrant Express
cannot begin until they receive environmental clearance from the Federal Highway
Administration (FHWA). Individual public hearings for those segments will be
held over the next year.
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How long have these
segments been in planning? |
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We have been studying these highways since the 1990s, but
the region has not had the funds available from gas tax dollars to make the
needed improvements. With new tools provided by the legislature, we can now
invite the private sector to participate in comprehensive development agreements
(CDA).
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What is a comprehensive
development agreement (CDA) and public/private partnership? |
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A CDA is an agreement establishing a
public/private partnership that can be used to assist in completing the
planning, financing, constructing, operating and maintaining of these roadways.
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Who will develop the
project? |
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On June 23, 2009, TxDOT executed a
comprehensive development agreement with the 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.
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Who determines CDA contract
provisions? |
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TxDOT has established uniform CDA contract provisions. In North Texas, the
elected officials who make up the
Regional Transportation Council (RTC) have reviewed and made recommendations
regarding certain contract terms. (The RTC is the federally recognized regional
transportation policy body.)
These terms include the toll rate that can be charged for the managed lanes, the
length of time for the contract, and specific provisions to protect taxpayers
and the traveling public. The RTC has also set policies for revenue sharing for
the region and methods to manage the toll lanes.
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How will it be financed? |
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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 two
of 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.
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Will these roadways become
toll roads? |
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Drivers will have a choice between managed "express" lanes
that will be tolled, and main lanes and frontage road lanes
that will not be tolled. The "express" lanes will support
the long distance commuter with fewer ramps. The main lanes
will best support the short distance commuter trips because
ramps will be located to serve the major intersecting city
streets.
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What are toll managed
lanes? |
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Toll managed lanes are designed for the long distance daily
commuter wanting the most reliable and time-saving peak hour
commute. Those drivers can expect traffic to flow at a
minimum of 50 mph.
Based on the RTC's managed lanes policy, when demand is
low at off-peak hours, a lower toll rate will be charged for
the managed lanes. When demand is high, such as during peak
commute times, a higher rate will apply. The policy also
encourages transit use with transit vehicles receiving a
discount.
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Will the project have toll
booths? |
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No. With an electronic toll tag, tolls are deducted
automatically from your prepaid toll account (TxTag, Tolltag
or EZ TAG) when you use the managed lanes.
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How do I get a TxTag? |
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How can I stay informed
about the project? |
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There are many different ways to get information about the
project.
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How can I be sure my
comments are heard? |
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Comments can be submitted at any time during the project
development process, either in person, by phone, U.S. mail,
e-mail, delivery or fax to:Texas Department of
Transportation, Fort Worth District
P.O. Box 6868
Fort Worth, Texas 76115-0868
Phone: (817) 370-6500
Fax: (817) 370-6759
E-mail
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125 East 11th Street . Austin, Texas 78701 
