Government Affairs Update

NTTA Submits TIGER II Pre-Application for Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail
The NTTA submitted its TIGER II Grant pre-application for Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail on July 2.  Included with the pre-application were several support letters received from elected officials and community business leaders: 

• U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards
• Sen. Wendy R. Davis
• State Rep. Rob Orr
• State Rep. Mark Shelton
• Tarrant County Judge Glen Whitley
• Johnson County Judge Roger Harmon
• Tarrant County Commissioner Roy C. Brooks
• Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief
• Fort Worth City Councilmember Jungus Jordan
• Cleburne Chamber of Commerce
• Cleburne Chamber of Commerce Chairman
• Dumas Land Surveying, Inc.
• Smith Ranch
• Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital
• Ms. Kay Walls

The NTTA anticipates being notified if the project meets the criteria to move to the second round, or the “final application stage,” in August.  We sincerely appreciate efforts by elected leadership, businesses and communities to get the Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail TIGER II Grant pre-application submitted.

Southwest Parkway Information Phone Line: (817) 207-0184
The NTTA activated a phone number in July for stakeholders to access updated Southwest Parkway construction information.  There is currently a recorded message describing lane, street and ramp closures related to Southwest Parkway.  The number to the phone line is (817) 207-0184.  Information is also available online.

Senators Carona and Shapiro Receive NTTA Drive to Excellence Award
At the July 21 NTTA Board Meeting, Sen. John Carona and Sen. Florence Shapiro were awarded the NTTA’s Drive to Excellence Award for 2010.  This new award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to improving transportation in North Texas.  Both senators have been supporters of the NTTA’s mission to enhance mobility in the region through responsible and innovative tolling solutions. Assisting with project negotiations and authoring legislation which supports the NTTA’s safety and customer-focused initiatives, Sen. Carona and Sen. Shapiro have worked to ensure the NTTA remains a responsible steward of public resources and a collaborative partner in transportation. Sen. Shapiro will receive the NTTA Drive to Excellence Award in September.

Other award recipients included: former Dallas County Commissioner Lee F. Jackson, former Chairman of the Texas Transportation Commission David M. Laney, and former NTTA Chairman Jere W. Thompson, Jr.

NTTA Makes $200 Million Payment to the North Texas Region for SH 161
The NTTA was pleased to present a check for $200 million to the North Texas region for the State Highway 161 project, now the President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension, at the July 15 meeting of the Regional Transportation Council. The payment was part of the negotiated market valuation agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation. 

The RTC voted unanimously in June to hold the NTTA’s $200 million concession payment for the project in the North Central Texas Council of Governments account and to extend the deadline of the payment to TxDOT until Dec. 27, 2010.  The concession payment will be held in the Council of Government’s account until the federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act loan has been issued and the NTTA’s financing has been completed.