Government Relations Update

The NTTA is working cooperatively to define its role as the toll provider of choice for north Texas. NTTA continues its work with local leaders, area officials and members of the Regional Transportation Council to identify and develop toll projects and delivery methods throughout the region. In addition, the NTTA Board of Directors and staff are steadfastly committed to continuing partnerships with all regional players, including the Texas Department of Transportation, and the business community to provide effective mobility solutions for our region.

SB 792, critical transportation legislation passed in the recent 80th Legislative Session, grants the NTTA the first option to develop a toll project within its service area (Collin, Dallas, Denton and Tarrant Counties). The bill also creates a new Section 228.0111 of the Transportation Code that establishes a market valuation or public concession process to provide for funding of additional transportation projects, including free roads, in connection with new toll road developments. The legislation, authored by Sen. Tommy Williams, was signed into law on June 11, 2007, and became effective immediately.

The NTTA is hard at work on implementing the provisions of SB 792, while pursuing important transportation projects in the region. These projects include the recent award by the Texas Transportation Commission of the SH 121 toll project to the NTTA. Work is also in progress on the Southwest Parkway in Tarrant County, Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge in Denton County and the extension of the Dallas North Tollway in Collin County. The NTTA continues its discussions with the RTC and its support staff on five other critical projects: SH 170 in Denton and Tarrant Counties, The East Branch of the President George Bush Turnpike (from IH 30 to IH 20) in Dallas County, SH 360 – Southern Extension in Ellis and Tarrant Counties, Chisholm Trail in Johnson County and Trinity Parkway in Dallas.