Government Affairs Update
81st Texas Legislature: Special Session
In early July, the 81st Texas Legislature convened in a special session to take up legislation impacting transportation funding critical to several projects in North Texas. House Bill (HB) 1 authorized $2 billion in highway bonds for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), specifically allocating $1 billion to the State Highway Fund and $1 billion to the State Infrastructure Bank. In addition, HB 1 extended the NTTA’s project financing bonding authority to 40 years, as was applicable prior to the 2007 legislative session. more »
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NTTA Approves Toll Rate Increase Effective Sept. 1
To maintain a financially viable system and the delivery of regional transportation projects during turbulent economic times, the North Texas Tollway Authority’s (NTTA) Board of Directors voted 8-1 to adjust its toll policy to mirror the Regional Transportation Council’s toll policy. The changes include a rate increase of three-and-a-half cents per mile on the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) and President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) and the adoption of a more equitable distance-based tolling structure. The new toll policy also establishes a 50 percent price differential that motorists without a TollTag will pay. Adjustments to the tolling policy go into effect on Sept. 1 – three months ahead of a scheduled, previously announced toll more »
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NTTA Takes Action to Address Wrong-Way Drivers
In an attempt to further curtail the recent spate of wrong-way driver accidents on the Dallas North Tollway, the NTTA has fitted all exit ramps on the Dallas North Tollway with reflective buttons in the shape of arrows. When approaching from the correct direction, motorists will notice white buttons that point in the direction they are currently driving. However, if a driver is going the wrong way, the buttons will reflect more »
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Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge to Open Aug. 1
Motorists will soon have the option to shorten their daily commute between Denton and Dallas when the North Texas Tollway Authority’s (NTTA) Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge (LLTB) opens to traffic Saturday, Aug. 1, creating an east west connection between Interstate Highway 35E and the Dallas North Tollway.
The bridge is scheduled to open to traffic on schedule on Saturday afternoon following the community-led “Run the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge” 5K run and family fun walk scheduled to begin at more »
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Portion of Newest Segment of the Sam Rayburn Tollway to Open Sept. 1
Motorists traveling the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SRT) will have an additional 3.37 miles to travel on after a portion of the SRT’s third phase opens Sept. 1, 2009 – four months ahead of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA)/Texas Department of Transportation project agreement schedule.
The portion that is slated to open Sept. 1 extends from more »
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Toll Equity Grant Receives Preliminary Approval
In January 2009, the NTTA, City of Fort Worth, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) entered into a formal agreement outlining each of their respective responsibilities as it relates to Southwest Parkway (SWP) and UPRR Davidson Yard. As part of the formal agreement, the NTTA and City of Fort Worth agreed to pay approximately $95 million for right of way and other more »
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All-ETC Conversion of Bush Turnpike Complete
On July 1, 2009, the NTTA converted the President George Bush Turnpike to an all-electronic toll collection facility. Overnight crews changed signage and closed toll booths along the entire corridor. Months of planning and advance communication with the public through meetings, radio advertisements, news releases and signage aided in the success of the conversion. On the morning of July 1, new signage was more »
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How ZipCash Works
Now that the President George Bush Turnpike has converted to all-electronic toll collection, customers with TollTags won’t notice much of a difference. But motorists without a TollTag, ZipCash customers, will have a new way to pay. Instead of stopping to pay cash, ZipCash customers should KEEP MOVING.
The ZipCash billing process is simple: invoices are mailed to the registered owner of the vehicle after a digital image of the vehicle’s license plate is captured at each toll plaza. Texas law requires that the owner of the vehicle is responsible for toll payments, which are accepted online, over the phone and by mail. Bills are mailed continuously, as billing is based on toll usage. more »
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Traffic Switch to Occur in September on U.S. 75 at Sam Rayburn Tollway
Traffic on northbound U.S. Highway (U.S.) 75 will shift onto the southbound side of the highway in the northern Allen, Fairview and southern McKinney area in September to accommodate construction of the Sam Rayburn Tollway/U.S. 75 interchange.
Ten days prior to the September traffic switch, the NTTA will set up electronic message signs to alert drivers.
When the traffic switch occurs, drivers in this area of U.S. 75 still will have two lanes of travel in both more »
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Business Diversity Editorial: Progress on our Roadways
Editor’s note: This is the first in a series of columns from the NTTA Director of Business Diversity Anthony Coleman.
A the NTTA prepares to select a design-build firm for Phase 4 of the State Highway 161 project in western Dallas County, I began reflecting on how this construction project demonstrates the NTTA’s progress in the region – not just in new mobility solutions but in cultivating valuable diversity among our contractors more »
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NTTA Adopts Environmental Policy Statement
The NTTA Board of Directors have adopted a revised Environmental Policy Statement aimed at supporting the NTTA’s goal of sustainability and demonstrating the NTTA’s proven commitment to the communities it serves.
“This policy statement establishes a standard for providing a safe, economically viable and environmentally sound transportation system that reliably meets customer needs and supports sustainable, vibrant community development,” said NTTA Director of Project Delivery Elizabeth Mow. more »
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NTTA Debuts New Project Delivery Method
The NTTA is using the design-build delivery method for the development of State Highway (SH) 161 Phase 4, which marks the first time the Authority has used a project delivery method other than design-bid-build for any of its projects.
The design-build delivery method saves time by allowing construction to begin before design is complete. The method also establishes a single point of contact for quality, cost and schedule, which can lead to the reduction of costs.
The key to a successful design-build project, according to Elizabeth Mow, Director of Project Delivery, more »
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Ask the Experts: Your Car and Texas Heat
 NTTA employees have a wealth of knowledge to share with customers and each other to help make life a little easier. This month, Roadway Customer Service Manager Bob Digman, who served 27 years with the Carrollton Police Department before joining the NTTA, shares tips on how to prepare your car or truck for relentless North Texas summer heat.
Digman advises that taking five minutes a week to perform a few checks may not only save drivers time and money for needless repairs, it may also save a life. “As vehicle owners, all too many times we think all we have to do is put gas in the vehicle and go whenever and wherever we want,” he writes. “These simple tasks can provide you with better and safer miles, and in many cases extend the life of your vehicle.” more »
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NTTA Awarded for Sustainability
 The International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA) recognized the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) for its sustainability initiatives with the 2009 Toll Excellence Award in Social Responsibility.
“The NTTA is honored to be recognized for an initiative that combines safety and efficiency with long-term environmental accountability,” said NTTA Executive Director Allen Clemson. “Our sustainability initiatives demonstrate that a commitment to environmental stewardship enhances the quality of life for our customers and the region.”
The NTTA currently has several sustainable initiatives underway that target air, water, soil, and renewable resources. They include:
• Improving air quality in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex by replacing its fleet vehicles with hybrid, flex fuel, and low sulfur diesel vehicles;
• Reducing ozone-causing traffic congestion through the implementation of more »
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