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Flurry of Activity Occurring on SH 121 NTTA is proposing a design change to the State Highway (SH) 121 project in which the main lanes would be built over Exchange Parkway in the cities of Allen and McKinney.
The agency is working with Collin County and the cities of Allen and McKinney in efforts to increase local traffic access, improve traffic operations and enhance the safety of the originally planned configuration. The interchange at SH 121 and Exchange Parkway is not new; it was listed on the original Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) plans for the roadway as a “future interchange.”
NTTA is asking the municipal partners to consider building the interchange now rather than later so that traffic operations will be improved when SH 121 is fully open to traffic.
Representatives from NTTA and the SH 121 corridor team met in mid-April with officials from Collin County and the cities of Allen and McKinney to discuss the idea. Since then, NTTA has made formal presentations to each city council as well as to the county commissioners. All three parties have passed resolutions in support of the Exchange Parkway interchange with SH 121.
NTTA is proposing to pay half of the expected cost, an estimated $9 million. If an agreement is reached, the partners will be asked to split the remaining estimated $4.5 million cost, at $1.5 million per entity.
Relief for SH 121 traffic congestion near Preston coming in June
NTTA and TxDOT are working together to alleviate traffic congestion on the SH 121 service roads near Preston Road in Collin County.
In June 2008, NTTA will open one northbound and one southbound lane of SH 121 between Parkwood Boulevard and Ohio Drive in Plano/Frisco. Motorists traveling on the SH 121 service roads will be able to drive onto the newly opened lanes to bypass the signal lights at Preston Road.
This temporary arrangement is similar to the temporary bypass around the Custer Road intersection that motorists have been enjoying further north on SH 121.
Drivers will not be charged tolls to use the newly opened SH 121 lanes in the Preston Road area until NTTA assumes full responsibility for SH 121 in September 2008. Periodic closures of the new lanes may be required to ensure safe conditions for workers finishing construction in the area.
TxDOT is working to finish SH 121 in this area, known as Segment 2, which stretches from Old Denton Road in Carrollton north to Hillcrest Road in Plano/Frisco. Meanwhile, Segment 1, which stretches from Denton Tap Road north in Coppell to Old Denton Road, is open to traffic.
NTTA takes over tolling on SH 121 Segment 1
NTTA began collecting tolls on the open portion of SH 121 on April 5, 2008.
NTTA assumed toll collection responsibility from TxDOT, which will continue maintenance of the roadway until SH 121 is transferred to the NTTA in September 2008, per the SH 121 project agreement.
Now, toll collection on each north Texas toll road is handled by NTTA, which allows you, our valued customer, one simple solution for all your tolling needs.
SH 121 is an all-electronic toll road with no cash options available. TollTag customers will continue to have tolls deducted from their accounts. Vehicles without a TollTag, TxTag or an EZ Tag – the electronic toll transponders that may be used on SH 121 – will have a photo taken of their license plate. An invoice will be mailed to the registered vehicle owner, who will be charged the higher ZipCash rate.
Tolls accrued prior to April 5 are owed to TxDOT’s Texas Tollways system. Customers will not be billed twice for the same trip. According to Texas Tollways, drivers with unpaid tolls that are not paid in a timely fashion may face additional fines and court fees.
For more information on SH 121 tolls, contact the NTTA Customer Service Center at 972-818-NTTA (6882). To pay your Texas Tollways bill, call 1-888-468-9824. If you believe you have been sent an invoice containing an error, call NTTA customer service at 972-818-6882. To ensure accurate billing, please keep your TollTag account updated.
The NTTA will assume full responsibility for SH 121 in September 2008, following completion of TxDOT’s construction and the NTTA’s installation of signs, pavement markings, noise walls and toll equipment on Segments 1 and 2.
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