NTTA Executive Director resigns, Board names Jerry Hiebert as Interim Executive Director
 After two years as the Executive Director of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA), Allan Rutter announced his resignation, effective upon the close of business on February 21, 2007, to apply his national experience in transportation policy and practice in the rapidly expanding public and private toll road industry. The NTTA Board of Directors appointed Mr. Rutter Acting Executive Director in February 2005 and Executive Director in April 2005. In response to the announcement by Mr. Rutter, the NTTA Board of Directors named Jerry Hiebert as Interim Executive Director until a permanent executive director is hired. Hiebert previously served as the NTTA’s Executive Director from August 1998 through January 2005.
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NTTA Board of Directors Approves new payment option - ZipCash at Wycliff Toll Plaza Only
 In an effort to move traffic more efficiently through the construction area at the south end of the Dallas North Tollway (DNT), the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) Board of Directors approved a new method for cash paying motorists driving through the Wycliff Toll Plaza. The new “ZipCash” initiative – a drive through now and pay later method – was considered during a special called meeting of the NTTA Board of Directors on Tuesday, January 30, 2007. The new method will be used at the Wycliff Toll Plaza only through the end of construction. No cash will be accepted at Wycliff. The ZipCash tolling plan became effective at the Wycliff Toll Plaza at 12:01 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 and appears to be effectively expediting traffic movement through the plaza.
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NTTA First Responder Tag for Emergency Vehicles
 In an effort to better serve the safety needs of North Texas communities and provide access and priority level service for emergency vehicles to perform duties, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) has enhanced its Non-Revenue TollTag Policy approved by its Board of Directors in June 2006. As part of the policy, Emergency Departments are asked to identify ONE point of contact. Within 6-8 weeks, Non-Revenue TollTags will be replaced with the new First Responder Tag, which will be affixed to official vehicles by an NTTA representative. The cost of the First Responder Tag is $15. The current Non-Revenue TollTag costs $25, resulting in a $10 refund for existing customers to apply towards the First Responder Tag. Important to note is that the First Responder Tag is considered public record and is subject to public disclosure.
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NTTA Files Legislation
 This month, the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) submitted legislation to the Legislative Council in Austin aimed at improving the agency’s operations, efficiency and ability to deliver projects in North Texas. The legislation will also put in place measures supported by the Texas Department of Transportation/NTTA Regional Protocol approved in August 2006.
The NTTA government relations team continues to work with its partners in Austin and North Texas to meet the needs of its customers throughout the region. The next meeting of the NTTA Board Legislative Committee will be held in Austin on February 28. To view a complete list of the NTTA’s legislative initiatives, click here. If you have any questions regarding the NTTA’s legislative program, please contact Carrie Rogers at (214) 224-2269 or crogers@ntta.org.
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The Five Regional Toll Road Projects
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) staff has been working collaboratively with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) representatives through the Mobility Project Planning Partnership (MP3) team to define a regional project delivery process, as assigned in the Regional Protocol approved in August 2006 between the NTTA and TxDOT. The NTTA staff is also developing an internal project development process. A presentation was made to the NTTA DNT System Projects and Improvements Committee at their December 18, 2006 meeting regarding the Regional Five Projects [SH 121 – Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail Parkway (Dirks/Altamesa to US 67); Trinity Parkway – (US 175/Spur 310 to IH-35E/SH 183); SH 190 – The East Branch (IH 30 to IH 20); SH 360 – Southern Extension (Camp Wisdom Road to US 67); and SH 170 – The Alliance Gateway (SH 114 to SH 199)] and the project development process.
Staff is developing a projects management strategy that they will present to the NTTA Board at their regularly scheduled meeting in February. For more information on these or other future projects, please contact Kevin Feldt, Director of Project Development and Planning, at (214) 461-2000 or kfeldt@ntta.org.
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President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT) Eastern Extension
The Texas Transportation Commission tentatively approved the Toll Equity Grant for the acquisition of right of way, relocation utility adjustments and related costs and services for the PGBT Eastern Extension project.
Interlocal Agreements (ILA) have been executed with the City of Sachse and the City of Rowlett. The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is in the process of finalizing the ILA with the City of Garland and is evaluating alternatives for an agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART). The PGBT Eastern Extension is anticipated to open to traffic in 2011.
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Toll Rate Increase – Frequently Asked Questions
• Why is it necessary to increase tolls?
- Scheduled toll rate increases improve the NTTA’s capacity for funding more projects, thereby improving the NTTA’s ability to be an active regional partner in solving mobility challenges. The rates are scheduled and necessary to continue NTTA’s mission of “providing a fiscally sound system of innovative toll facilities, services and solutions” to the North Texas region.
- Congestion has increased dramatically on the Dallas North Tollway and the President George Bush Turnpike in recent years. Scheduled toll rate increases provide the funding needed to improve and relieve traffic congestion and safety on NTTA toll roads.
- Costs are rising on many products and services, the rates reflected are lower than the cost of living adjustment.
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