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Looking Back, Looking Ahead  The NTTA saw a busy year in 2011, with the completion of several projects that significantly impact drivers and the start of new projects that will change the landscape of transportation in North Texas. The same will hold true for 2012. Here’s a look back at NTTA milestones over the last 12 months plus a peek at what’s in store for the year ahead.
NEW ROADS, MORE MOBILITY
Sam Rayburn Tollway: Complete from End to End
The NTTA opened direct-connecting ramps between the Sam Rayburn Tollway and U.S. 75 in March and with the Dallas North Tollway in November. The U.S. 75 interchange project was completed in just two and a half years with innovative design enhancements and construction techniques allowing the NTTA to compress the construction schedule. All eight major ramps on the five-level interchange with the Dallas North Tollway opened ahead of schedule in November, completing the entire toll road
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President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Opens Ahead of Schedule
The Eastern Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike opened to traffic on Dec. 21, carrying traffic from the former terminus of the turnpike at State Highway 78 in Garland through Sachse and Rowlett to the interchange with Interstate 30 at Lake Ray Hubbard. The Eastern Extension delivers to drivers an alternative route to I-635, especially during construction.
Cashless Tolling: Construction to Completion
Although cashless toll collection went into effect on all NTTA toll roads in December 2010, related road construction on the Dallas North Tollway ramped up in 2011. The construction was finished by the end of year, providing smooth and seamless travel for drivers. The NTTA thanks drivers for their patience and understanding. The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association recognized NTTA in June for its conversion to cashless tolling with the 2011 Toll Excellence Award in Operations.
Blazing a Trail for Mobility: Chisholm Trail Parkway
After more than 40 years in the planning stages, Chisholm Trail Parkway is now under construction. The NTTA issued notices to proceed for contractors working on several sections of the project in November. Once completed, Chisholm Trail Parkway will provide a continuous route from downtown Fort Worth south to Cleburne. The toll road is the NTTA’s first project in Tarrant and Johnson counties and is expected to open to traffic in mid-2014.
President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension: Full Steam Ahead
Construction activity will accelerate in 2012 in all areas of Phase 4 of the Western Extension as crews move full steam ahead on bridge work and excavation. On the north end of the project, bridge columns continue to be placed along Interstate 30, which will serve the direct connector ramp joining southbound PGBT Western Extension to eastbound I-30. In addition, bridge deck panels placed at Dickey Road will be part of the future Western Extension main lanes. The Tarrant Road cross-street bridge under construction since May opened to traffic in November. Phase 4 of the Western Extension is anticipated to open in the fourth quarter of 2012.
FINANCING THE FUTURE
Transparency Actions Earn State’s Highest Audit Honor
The NTTA earned the state of Texas’ highest audit honor in December for its online public access to financial documents. The Texas Comptroller’s Leadership Circle program has awarded the NTTA a “Gold Circle Award.” The Comptroller of Public Accounts launched the program in 2009 to recognize local entities across Texas that are striving to meet a high standard for financial transparency online. The NTTA’s financial and investor pages can be found at www.ntta.org/AboutUs/Investor+Information/
2011 Budget Garners Government Budgeting Award
For the second consecutive year, the NTTA was recognized by the Government Finance Officer Association of the United States and Canada with its Distinguished Budget Presentation Award for the NTTA’s 2011 budget. The award recognizes an organization’s ability to meet the highest principles of governmental budgeting. In order to receive the award, the NTTA satisfied nationally recognized guidelines for effective budget presentation.
President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension Financing
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced in April that the Department of Transportation would provide a $418.4 million loan that will bring congestion relief to drivers in Dallas County through a TIFIA loan for the construction of the final phase of State Highway 161 (future President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension). SH 161 will serve as a major link within the Dallas-Fort Worth regional transportation network, reducing congestion along adjacent corridors and improving the travel experience in surrounding communities when it opens in late 2012.
Chisholm Trail Parkway Bond Sale
The NTTA financial team successfully executed the sale of $640,535,000 of bonds for the acquisition, development and construction of the Chisholm Trail Parkway, which joins the President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension in making up the NTTA’s Special Projects System. The Series 2011 Bonds will be secured by the tolls on the Special Projects System and will be further supported by the Toll Equity Loan from the Texas Department of Transportation. The favorable financing of Western Extension allowed for more favorable financing the Chisholm Trail Parkway project.
Toll Rates Adjust
The NTTA implemented a regularly scheduled toll rate increase of 0.8 cents (less than a cent per mile) July 1 to continue to deliver regional transportation projects that relieve congestion, preserve a strong and financially viable system and maintain quality, safe and reliable roadways. The rates adjusted from 14.5 cents per mile to 15.3 cents per mile. This incremental change is required to meet the financial needs of the NTTA while ensuring drivers see only small increases to tolls. The rates are compatible with the Regional Transportation Council’s toll rate structure.
STEWARDSHIP
New Faces Lead NTTA Board, Staff
The NTTA Board of Directors elected new leadership in September, choosing Tarrant County appointee Kenneth Barr to serve as chairman and Collin County appointee Bill Moore as vice chairman. Barr, who has served on the board since 2008, replaces Victor Vandergriff, who will continue to serve on the board as a Tarrant County appointee. Moore was appointed to the board in 2009.
The Dallas County Commissioners Court appointed two new members to the NTTA board. George “Tex” Quesada joined the board as a Dallas County appointee in September and Matrice Ellis-Kirk was appointed in December. Quesada replaced Bob Day, who served on the board for two terms. Ellis-Kirk replaces Kent Cagle, who accepted an offer to serve as city manager in Leander, Texas.
The NTTA Board of Directors named Gerry Carrigan to the interim executive director post in October following the resignation of Allen Clemson. Carrigan has served the NTTA for nearly three years as assistant executive director of project delivery, during which time he helped oversee several mobility projects during a period of tremendous growth for the NTTA.
Independent Review Examines NTTA Governance, Operations
The NTTA Board of Directors received an independent financial and performance review by Alvarez & Marsal, LLC in October. The review was commissioned by the NTTA’s four member-county judges and included four general areas of focus: transparency, financial, organizational and procurement assessments. The NTTA has begun a thorough review and evaluation of the recommendations and is developing a work plan with sustainable and cost-effective solutions to ensure efficient operations.
ROAD Program Expands
The NTTA expanded its Relationships and Opportunities Advancing Diversity program in 2011 to 11 firms, five construction firms and six professional companies. The ROAD program provides opportunities for new and emerging disadvantaged minority/women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBEs). The program fosters expanded access to resources, a broader scope of services, deeper technical knowledge, and improved business management and operation processes by partnering with larger, more established firms offering similar services.
Jere W. Thompson, Jr. Scholarship Provides Financial Aid
The NTTA presented Yumna Bham, an engineering student at Southern Methodist University, with the Authority’s annual Jere W. Thompson, Jr. Scholarship. The scholarship was established in 2002 by the NTTA and a group of North Texas businesses to provide scholarships to disadvantaged students in civil engineering programs at universities in Texas. The Jere W. Thompson, Jr. Scholarship Fund, administered by The Dallas Foundation, provides scholarships of up to $2,000 per semester to eligible students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. It is supported through tax-deductible charitable donations. Make your tax-exempt donation now at www.DallasFoundation.org.
SAFETY AND SERVICE
Limited-edition Dallas Cowboys TollTag Debuts
The NTTA began offering a limited-edition Dallas Cowboys TollTag. The addition to the NTTA lineup marked the first offering of a co-branded NTTA TollTag. Dallas Cowboys legend Drew Pearson signed autographs and helped introduce the new TollTag on the eve of his induction into the Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor. Dallas Cowboys TollTags are available at select Cowboys Pro Shops or online at shopcowboys.com.
Regional Safety Summit Examines Issues
The NTTA, the Texas Department of Public Safety and Mothers Against Drunk Driving launched a Regional Safety Summit in 2011. Public safety officials, community groups and concerned citizens from around the region were invited to work together in a series of meetings as part of a comprehensive safety summit to identify safety issues and develop strategies to improve roadway safety.
NTTA Maintenance Department Earns Public Works Project Award
The NTTA won a prestigious construction industry award in April for the NTTA’s quick, safe and effective action after a retaining wall shift along the President George Bush Turnpike in January 2010. The American Public Works Association honored the NTTA with a distinguished “Public Works Projects of the Year” award.
Roadway Customer Service Receives 5,000+ Accolades
The NTTA’s Roadway Customer Service program received its 5,000th commendation since the program began in 2008. A free service to NTTA customers, the RCS team operates on three shifts 24-hours a day, patrolling NTTA roadways in search of stranded drivers. When motorists call the emergency number on their TollTags, the calls are routed to the NTTA Command Center, and the Roadway Customer Service team is quickly dispatched at no cost to the driver.
ZipCash Billing Gets a Makeover
The NTTA adopted a new ZipCash billing process designed to encourage payment by all drivers who use the toll road services. As a result of a legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, the new system assesses fees only to those who neglect paying for the services on time. ZipCash is the NTTA’s pay‐by‐invoice option developed to replace cash collection. ZipCash customers are billed at a 50 percent higher rate than TollTag users, and payment of the invoice is required within 30 days.
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