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Reduce congestion • Enhance safety • Expand economic development Improve air quality • Increase the value of transportation assets |
March 3, 2008
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Public Hearings
I-820
SH 121/183
I-35W
I-35W  |
TxDOT Requests Detailed Proposals
The next step in the competitive selection process to develop the North Tarrant Express is nearly set to begin. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has received federal approvals to proceed with the next step in selecting a private sector partner. Within a few days, TxDOT will officially invite the four private sector teams to submit detailed financial and development plans for the North Tarrant Express. The teams will submit plans to develop, finance, construct and maintain the first segment at Interstate 820 from Interstate 35W to the Northeast Interchange, including a new multi-level interchange at I-35W.
The 6.4-mile segment would include the reconstruction of the existing lanes and the addition of four tolled managed express lanes and two non-toll lanes. The best value proposer will also assist TxDOT in developing the remaining corridor segments.
Following submittal of the detailed proposals, which are due by July 16, 2008, TxDOT staff will conduct a thorough evaluation. A final selection of a best value proposer is expected by this fall. Meanwhile, the environmental process is ongoing. In February, TxDOT sent the draft environmental document to the Federal Highway Administration for initial review. After TxDOT receives notice to proceed, public hearings will be scheduled.
The North Tarrant Express is a 36-mile project along the I-35W/I-820/SH 121/SH 183 corridor. The improvements, estimated at $2 billion, will reconstruct and add lanes on I-35W, I-820 and SH 121/183 “Airport Freeway,” including express toll-managed lanes.
The North Tarrant Express is needed to accommodate the increasing transportation demand in the region. In addition, the development of this project will greatly reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of the region’s transportation assets.
Financing Tools
As transportation funding sources fail to keep pace with regional needs, the North Texas region is moving forward with an aggressive toll and managed lane system to help address this funding crisis. Local officials and transportation leaders are using tolled managed lanes and agreements with the private sector to accelerate the region's high priority projects including the DFW Connector and the North Tarrant Express.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is the region's metropolitan planning organization. Since 2003, the NCTCOG Regional Transportation Council (RTC) has controlled which mobility projects in North Texas get priority and how they are funded through the Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan.
The Texas Transportation Commission created the Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan to give metropolitan areas more flexibility and local control. The plan allows for a set, predictable allocation of Category 2 mobility funds. These funds, combined with new legislative tools, empower the urban areas of Texas to better address congestion and construct more projects sooner. The Dallas-Fort Worth area receives 36 percent of the state's Category 2 funds.
The RTC has identified a $58.6 billion funding shortfall by 2030 for the Dallas-Fort Worth area unless the region pursues innovative financing measures including toll roads and managed lane systems. TxDOT and NCTCOG are working together to address this funding challenge through partnerships of local elected officials, the private sector and the Commission.
North Tarrant Express Web Site Keeps Public Informed
Want to learn more about the North Tarrant Express? TxDOT's Web site is a great way to stay informed about the project. Located at www.txdot.gov KEYWORD: North Tarrant Express, the Web site contains information about progress on the corridors of Interstate 35W, Interstate 820 and SH 121/183 "Airport Freeway."
As news develops on the project, subscribers to the North Tarrant Express e-newsletter will learn firsthand about important news posted to the Web site. Future issues will announce such milestones as the public hearing, environmental approval and selection of a private sector team to develop and construct the North Tarrant Express.
Visitors to the Web site who are unfamiliar with the North Tarrant Express can learn more about the scope of each of the project segments including their locations and planned number of lanes. They can also learn about the comprehensive development agreement (CDA) process and track its progress as TxDOT determines financing options to move the project forward. Once construction begins, this Web site will evolve into a project information tool that will include schedules, lane closures and other details for each construction stage of the project.
Check our TxDOT Web site for more information and updates as the project progresses.
You are receiving this e-mail as a service of the Texas Department of Transportation to keep you further informed about the progress of the North Tarrant Express - I-35W, I-820 and SH 121/183 "Airport Freeway."
Our mailing address is:
Texas Department of Transportation
PO Box 6868
Fort Worth, TX 76115-0868
Our telephone:
(817) 370-6846
Copyright (C) 2008 Texas Department of Transportation All rights reserved.