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State Highway 161 Moving Forward As 2008 comes to a close, the NTTA and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) continue negotiations on a final project agreement for State Highway (SH) 161.
In October, the NTTA exercised its option to undertake SH 161. Phase 1 of the corridor, constructed by TxDOT, is substantially complete, with the service roads open to traffic between Interstate Highway (IH) 20 and Jefferson Road and between West Main Street and Carrier Parkway.
The southern half of the main lane interchange at SH 183 and main lanes extending to Conflans Road, also constructed by TxDOT, is substantially complete but remains closed. The City of Irving has requested that this section open to traffic in advance of the Phase 2 opening.
Remaining portions of the main lanes from SH 183 to north of IH 30 will open to traffic in December 2010. Phase 4, the main lanes north of IH 30 to IH 20, is expected to open to traffic in June 2012.
Progress continues toward executing a contract for Phase 4. The NTTA advertised a request for qualifications for the design-build of Phase 4 in early December. Statements of qualifications from potential contractors are due in January 2009, and a final determination of the best value proposal is expected in May 2009.
Coordination among potential contractors is continuing in advance of the Phase 4 procurement. The NTTA sponsored a vendor outreach symposium designed to engage minority contractors, and women and small-owned businesses, in the design-build contractor process. The Nov. 20 event at the North Central Texas Council of Governments offices in Arlington attracted 197 prime and subcontractors. A second symposium is tentatively scheduled for January.
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