|
Moving Forward in 2008 2007 was a very exciting year for the North Texas Tollway Authority.
In 2007, over 197,000 new TollTag accounts were opened and NTTA representatives made over 1.8 million customer contacts. The NTTA added almost 10 miles of roadway to its system when the Dallas North Tollway (Tollway) extension from SH 121 to U.S. 380 opened to traffic in September. Ground was also broken on the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge.
The 80th Texas Legislative session proved to be very beneficial for mobility. By way of Senate Bills 964 and 792, the NTTA was given tools to effectively deliver projects, serve our four member counties and expand our service area and system.
In July of 2007, a national search for a new executive director was held, with Dr. Jorge C. Figueredo emerging as the most qualified candidate to lead the new, more aggressive project delivery machine known as the NTTA.
In August of 2007, the NTTA’s Board of Directors approved a gradual, people-driven transition to a cashless system of electronic toll collection that the NTTA calls ZipCash. This transition would allow the NTTA to improve mobility in the region, while enhancing safety, reducing capital and operational costs, reducing right-of-way needed, allowing more cars to use the roadway and having a positive effect on air quality.
In November of 2007, the citizens of Dallas County voted in favor of Trinity Parkway moving forward as planned. NTTA representatives continue to work with partner agencies to advance this critical mobility project including; the City of Dallas, the Texas Department of Transportation, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to keep that project progressing.
Additionally, successfully bid on the right to own, operate, build and maintain State Highway 121 in Collin, Dallas and Denton counties for the next 50 years.
The NTTA expects 2008 to be an equally exciting year.
SH 121 will become an important part of the NTTA System in September of 2008. At that point, the NTTA will begin maintaining and constructing the remainder of this critical mobility project.
There are plans to break ground on Southwest Parkway, the first NTTA project in Tarrant County in 2008.
Also, ground will be broken on the Eastern Extension of the Bush Turnpike that will run through Garland, Sachse and Rowlett.
In addition, construction on the 40-year old South End of the Tollway will be complete in 2008 as well.
In 2008, the Tollway, the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel and the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge will be transitioned to a cashless system of toll collection where non TollTag customers will be billed by mail after they drive on NTTA roadways. For TollTag customers, this transition will be seamless. In addition to saving time necessary to pay bills, TollTags save money. Cash rates are up to 40% higher than TollTag rates.
The rapid growth of the north Texas region has placed time-sensitive demands on mobility providers. In order to meet these demands, the NTTA anticipates a productive year of collaboration with our transportation partners, stakeholders and elected leaders.
|