Airport Freeway Moving Toward Reconstruction

AUSTIN – Motorists traveling State Highway 183, known locally as Airport Freeway, are one step closer to traveling more efficiently. The Texas Department of Transportation will issue a Request for Proposals to design and reconstruct portions of SH 183. With current traffic volumes averaging between 120,000 to 168,000 vehicles per day, approximately 50 percent more than its original design capacity, the much-needed work will ultimately improve commute times for drivers.

“The significant industry response to this project propels it to this next level of development,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “Partnering with private industry accelerates the construction schedule and will ultimately produce an improved travel corridor at the greatest value for the state.”

The project is expected to improve mobility by expanding 13.5 miles of SH 183 from SH 121 to
I-35E, including portions of SH 114 and Loop 12. This first phase of construction, estimated at $850 million, includes replacement of deteriorating roadway and adding one managed-toll lane in each direction. The project is expected to start in 2014.

In response to a Request for Qualifications issued earlier, TxDOT has identified four transportation construction teams that will respond to the RFP, including: Airport Expressway Partners (Fluor Enterprises, Inc. and Balfour Beatty Investments, Inc.), SH 183 Mobility Partners (Meridiam Infrastructure SH 183 Mobility LLC, Dallas Police and Fire Pension System and Cintra Infraestructuras, S.A.), SH 183 Mobility Alliance (Macquarie Capital Group Limited and OHL Concesiones, S.A.) and SouthGate Mobility Partners (Plenary Group Ltd. and Kiewit Development Company).

For media inquiries, contact TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or
(512) 463-8700.