North Texas Tollway Authority -- Driving Forward - A monthly customer newsletter

March 2010 Issue: Project Updates | NTTA Newswire | Safe-T Buzz Monthly Tip | Help
Know before you go!

A list of scheduled lane and ramp closures is available here.

NTTA Accepts SH 161, Commits to Advance Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail 
The NTTA Board of Directors voted in February to accept State Highway (SH) 161 in Dallas County.  The Board also approved various agreements committing to the continued advancement of Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail Parkway (SWP/CT) in Tarrant and Johnson counties until a final decision can be made.“As a result of the board’s action, State Highway 161, a critical North Texas mobility project, officially became an NTTA roadway.  The project has positive revenue projections, is located in an area experiencing rapid growth, provides a much-needed Read More ›

NTTA Receives $20 Million Federal Grant for SH 161


The U. S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced February 17 that the NTTA has received a $20 million Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) Grant created by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 and allocated through the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) Program.  The grant is expected to be used to support a $400 million TIFIA loan for State Highway (SH) 161.  The TIFIA program provides Federal credit assistance Read More ›


Last month, President Obama announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation will receive roughly $79 billion for the FY 2011 budget, reflecting an increase from $77 billion during FY 2010.  The budget includes a $43 billion placeholder for highway spending, which does not represent funds that are expected to be identified in the long-term transportation reauthorization legislation that is to be developed.  The budget also includes the

ROAD Teaming Partnerships Selected

The NTTA has selected participants in its Relationships and Opportunities Advancing Diversity (ROAD) pilot program in an effort to ensure diverse participation in NTTA contracting opportunities. Through the pilot program, which was launched in December 2009, the NTTA is working to increase the number of disadvantaged, minority and women-owned business enterprises (D/M/WBE) participating on larger contracts by facilitating a relationship between D/M/WBE and prime contractors that offer similar services so the participants are able to enhance their expertise. D/M/WBEs will benefit from opportunities to develop their business management, organization and professional skills Read More ›

Vendor Outreach Symposium & Contractors Workshop


The NTTA Business Diversity Department (BDD) held its first Vendor Outreach Symposium in Denton County Feb. 18. The Denton Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the Denton Black Chamber of Commerce partnered with the NTTA to host the event. Vendor Outreach Symposiums are traveling road shows for the NTTA to showcase contracting opportunities, and they offer one-stop networking for prospective vendors. At the symposium, the NTTA provided information to more than 75 potential vendors regarding contract opportunities for future projects, how to do business with the NTTA Read More ›

Electronic Tolling Provides Business Diversity Opportunities
As the NTTA continues converting its roads to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC), an emphasis will be placed on increasing business diversity opportunities through innovative contracting. The NTTA plans to advertise and award multiple contracts for the all-ETC conversion Dallas North Tollway and Addison Airport Toll Tunnel to increase the number and diversity of businesses involved.  By awarding several smaller contracts instead of one large contract for all services, the NTTA hopes to expand the pool of eligible contractors. This effort is expected to increase both competition and diversity opportunities, as smaller construction services companies will be able to compete for the contracts. The Contract Process The first three Read More ›

Construction Begins on Sam Rayburn/Dallas North Tollway Interchange
Construction on the new, five-level interchange between the Sam Rayburn Tollway (SRT) and Dallas North Tollway (DNT) in the cities of Frisco and Plano began in February. Williams Brothers Construction Company Inc. of Houston received its formal notice to proceed on Feb. 5, 2010, allowing construction to commence on the project, known as Segment 5 of the SRT. The $79.4 million construction project will add a fourth and fifth level to the existing Read More ›

Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge Update
For the past six months, motorists in Denton County have enjoyed crossing the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge (LLTB) instead of driving around it. The communities of Little Elm and the Lake Cities area have been reunited and drivers enjoyed the new, faster east-west connection between their communities. Although the bridge opened to traffic in August 2009, the contractor has remained on site completing several punch-list items. Much of the recent work has consisted of electrical components related to the arch lighting and has now been completed and tested. The lights at the arch, which have been off since December 2009 are now back on. While the LED arch lights are white most of the Read More ›

Public Invited to Dallas North Tollway Extension Project Meetings
Two public meetings will be held in March to discuss the proposed alignments for the extension of the Dallas North Tollway in Collin, Denton and Grayson counties from FM 428 north to approximately FM 121, referred to as the Dallas North Tollway Extension, Phase 4B/5A. The first public meeting will be held from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 9, 2010, at the PointBank Community Room in Pilot Point (200 S. Hwy. 377, Pilot Point, Texas, 76258) in Denton County, Texas. The second public will be held Read More ›

1.8 Million TollTags and Growing
The NTTA has reached yet another milestone by issuing its 1.8 millionth active TollTag. “This milestone means that hundreds of thousands of additional North Texans are saving money as well as improving efficiency, mobility and safety on the roads,” said NTTA Assistant Executive Director of Operations Clayton Howe. There are many reasons why motorists should get a TollTag. Customers who use ZipCash--the NTTA's cashless toll collection method--pay 50 percent more than customers who have TollTags. Having a TollTag also eliminates stop-and-go travel and allows for better fuel efficiency.  TollTags also can be used on any tollroad in Texas. Customers whose accounts are backed with a credit or debit card can also use their TollTags for parking and pass-through privileges at D/FW International Airport and for all parking Read More ›

Safe-T Buzz: What To Do in an Auto Accident


In this month’s Safe-T Buzz feature, we offer some tips on what to do if you are involved in an auto accident. Most crashes on Texas roads result from speeding, failure to yield, driving under the influence of alcohol, following too closely and running red lights and stop signs. Take the following steps when you are involved in an auto accident: • Check for injuries. If people are hurt, tend to them.  • Move your car out of the roadway to a safer place where you can exchange names, addresses, phone numbers, vehicle identification numbers, vehicle license plate numbers, insurance information and driver license information. • Note the location of the crash and get the names Read More ›

TollTag Basics: Answers to Your Questions


Q: How do I update my credit card information on my account? A: The easiest way to update your credit card information is by visiting the NTTA’s online Customer Service Center and log onto your TollTag account.  After you log-in, click on CREDIT CARD MANAGEMENT  to edit your information.   Once you’ve entered the new information, click SAVE to complete your update.  While you are updating your payment information, please take the time to update your license plate. Not keeping credit or debit card information up-to-date is  one of the most common reasons for a TollTag account to fall into the negative.  If this happens, the customer will start receiving Read More ›

NTTA Safe-T Buzz Partnering with Local Teens


As part of the NTTA’s ongoing Safe-T Buzz program, NTTA staff will take part in a “Teens in the Driver Seat” event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday, March 6, at Firewheel Town Center in Garland. The Garland Youth Council has organized the event, which will include booths featuring safe driving information and free activities managed by teens from every Garland school district high school. The event also will feature a mobile memorial with the wreckage remaining after a teen was killed by a drunk driver. The NTTA’s System and Incident Management staff will provide highway safety information based on their years of hands-on experience and expertise. One of the NTTA’s Roadway Customer Service (RCS) vehicles will be on site, and staff will explain how the RCS program maintains safety on NTTA roadways. Read More ›

Customer Service Center
972-818-6882 (NTTA)
www.ntta.org/
TalktoNTTA@ntta.org

Roadway Customer Service / Courtesy Patrol
972-444-4357 (HELP)

NTTA Command Center
(214) 224-2203

Emergencies on the Roadway
Dial 911 immediately

 

NTTA Administrative Offices
214-461-2000

Current Roadway Conditions and Lane Closures
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