NOVEMBER 2007


Tollway's Northern Extension Open to Traffic The northern extension of the Dallas North Tollway is now open to traffic. On September 28, 2007, at approximately 2:40 p.m., the northbound lanes of the Tollway from State Highway 121 to U.S. 380 were open to traffic. Southbound lanes were opened later that evening. Commuters are now enjoying 9.6 miles of additional roadway, bringing the total length of the Tollway to 32 miles. Planning is already underway for the 13.5-mile Phase 4 extension of the Tollway from U.S. 380 to the Grayson County line.


Efforts Continue on Fort Worth's Southwest Parkway The NTTA and its partners, the City of Fort Worth and the Fort Worth District of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) are working diligently for construction to begin in 2008 on the Southwest Parkway. The proposed six-lane parkway will connect the City of Fort Worth's Central Business District at IH-30 to U.S. 67 in the City of Cleburne in Johnson County. The initial 8.2-mile project is currently under design and will link IH-30 and Forest Park Boulevard to Altamesa Boulevard in the southwest portion of Fort Worth. Throughout the process, NTTA and City of Fort Worth staff members have worked with a Citizen’s Advisory Group made up of Fort Worth residents to get their input on possible aesthetic features of the Southwest Parkway. Some of those discussions have included input on lighting, ornamental railing and colors on concrete walls. Read more		South End Motorists Driving on New Pavement Motorists who travel on the south end of the Tollway will notice a major difference now that traffic has been switched onto new portions of roadway between IH-35 and Wycliff Avenue. The traffic switch took place on Oct. 21. Also, motorists who travel on the Cedar Springs Road Bridge can look forward to the bridge being complete with two lanes in each direction by the end of November. We truly appreciate the patience of our patrons as we progress towards a safer, more aesthetically pleasing roadway that, most importantly, will improve mobility for drivers in the area. Read more


New Overlay Makes For A Smooth Drive on Tollway NTTA customers using the Dallas North Tollway between Lemmon Avenue and Harvest Hill are experiencing a smoother, safer and more quiet ride these days. The NTTA has just completed a resurfacing project in that area, southbound and northbound, similar to a project completed earlier this year along the President George Bush Turnpike. The surface material, made from black rock and asphalt, acts as a seal on top of the old asphalt overlay. The benefits of the new surface are: improved skid resistance; reduction in water spray; retention of dark coloration; which provides a contrast to the stripes on the roads improving motorist visibility in bad weather; less noise than the previous surface which adds to an enhanced Tollway driving experience; and is less disturbing to the surrounding homes and businesses. One other tidbit of good news about this project: Experts anticipate that it won’t need to happen again for another 7-10 years.		The Good Word Travels Terri, a loyal NTTA motorist recently had an experience that could have easily been negative if it weren’t for the assistance of two devoted NTTA employees. Here is her account of the event: “Hi. I wanted to let you know about a couple of your employees who helped me out this morning. This morning, I had a flat tire on the N. Dallas Tollway just before the Walnut Hill Exit. I called my Roadside Assistance and was given a window of an hour. While I was waiting, a NTTA truck stopped behind me and asked if I needed assistance. I explained that I had already called and was waiting on Roadside Assistance. About 20-30 minutes later (over an hour since my call to Roadside Assistance), the NTTA truck stopped again. Your employees, John and Ruben had come back checking on me. They said they wanted to go ahead and change my flat for me so I could be on my way and off the side of the road. They were concerned for my safety. Read more


Building “Walls” In Irving When it comes to being good to our customers and to our neighbors, the NTTA is all about building great roads… and of course, bridges, when duty calls. But, those of you who travel on the far southwest end of the President George Bush Turnpike know that the NTTA is also building walls. As part of a $26-million renovation project, the NTTA recently began working to replace some existing retaining walls on the Bush Turnpike between MacArthur Boulevard and Los Colinas Boulevard in Irving. The work was started in August. Crews are currently working at MacArthur Boulevard. In the first quarter of 2008, crews will begin work at the Los Colinas Boulevard overpass. We apologize for the look in the area right now, but when it comes to safety, please know soil is the only thing that is being moved at the construction site. To ensure that nothing is shifting in an unsafe manner, our crews have installed gauges and other monitoring devices to keep tabs on these structures. In addition, the NTTA uses the services of specially-trained engineers. The project will be completed in December 2009.		Tag Wagon Coming to a Game Near You The NTTA Tag Wagon is all about customer convenience and since we are in Texas what better place to meet the people than at Friday night football. Throughout the current football season, the NTTA Tag Wagon will be set up at one high school football game a week. So stop by to sign up for a TollTag or for an answer to all your toll related questions. Look for the Tag Wagon and crew at the following games: Friday, November 2; Fossil Ridge vs. Ft Worth Boswell, 500 North Pate Orr Road, Keller Friday, November 9; Cedar Hill at Duncanville, 900 Camp Wisdom Rd., Duncanville Or, if you are looking for a safe place to let the kids Trick or Treat and to visit with Wally and other friends, the Tag Wagon will be at Safety Town’s Trick or Treat night at Frisco’s Central Fire Station, 8601 Gary Burns Drive, on Friday, Oct. 26, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. The event is geared towards children up to the 5th grade and their parents.


NTTA “Beaming” in Denton County NTTA crews prepare to place the first set of bridge beams on the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge. The hanging of bridge beams is a major step in the construction of a bridge because it is the foundation over which the roadway will be constructed and it is the first visible sign of the connecting of several points that will eventually reach completely across the lake.


NTTA’s Susan Buse To Head International Organization The North Texas Tollway Authority is proud to announce that Susan A. Buse, its Assistant Executive Director of Project Evaluation, has been elected to serve as President of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) for a one-year term. The IBTTA is the international alliance of toll operators and associated industries that provides a forum for sharing knowledge and ideas to promote and enhance toll-financed transportation services. The NTTA is proud to employ world class leaders such as Ms. Buse.		TollTags Now Available at Frisco’s Stonebriar Mall Heading to the mall for the latest in fashion accessories or to catch the latest action thriller? Then while you’re there, why not pick up a TollTag. The North Texas Tollway Authority recently leased space at Stonebriar Mall in a kiosk on the first floor to make it easier and more convenient to sign up for a TollTag. Located a short distance from the Dallas North Tollway, Stonebriar is the perfect place to pick up a TollTag. Just think, it will allow you to get to and from the mall a lot quicker – just in time for the holiday season. Hours of operation for the Stonebriar Mall kiosk are: Thursday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. and Sunday, 12 – 6 p.m. Sign up is easy, so tell a friend to add a TollTag to their shopping list or when you’re doing some early holiday shopping, keep in mind a TollTag makes a wonderful stocking stuffer.


TollTags; the Perfect Stocking Stuffer Need a gift the entire family can use this holiday season? Then, get a family pack of TollTags. Up to three tags can be activated on any one account at no additional charge. Not only will your gift help save your family time on their commute throughout the metroplex, but cash customers pay 40 percent more than TollTag customers when using NTTA facilities. TollTags can be used for parking at D/FW International Airport and Dallas Love Field, and on any toll road in the state of Texas making it a great gift for the traveler in your family or the out-of-town relative. To sign up for a TollTag, add an additional tag to your account, or to learn about the benefits of having a TollTag visit www.ntta.org.		Information on the Recent Toll Rate Increase On September 29th, the NTTA raised rates on the Dallas North Tollway and the President George Bush Turnpike. Rates were not increased at the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel, the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge or at the Wycliff Avenue Main Lane Toll Plaza at the south end of the Tollway which is under construction. Some of our customers may still have questions about the increase and we have prepared a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for you. To learn more, please click here. Also, some of our cash customers are experiencing some problems with our automatic coin machines. Those devices only accept coins. Dollar bills should not be inserted into those machines. Please use a toll booth if you need to use paper money to pay your tolls. Read more


NTTA Roadways		NTTA Projects
Addison Airport Toll Tunnel Dallas North Tollway Mountain Creek Lake Bridge The President George Bush Turnpike		The Dallas North Tollway at Wycliff and Oak Lawn Avenue Improvements The Dallas North Tollway Extension: Phase 4 (US 380 to Collin/Grayson County Line) Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge (LLTB) State Highway 121 in Collin, Dallas and Denton Counties The President George Bush Turnpike: Eastern Extension Southwest Parkway (SH 121 from IH 30 to Altamesa Blvd.) Trinity Parkway