North Tarrant express now open to drivers

Following a six-city progressive ribbon-cutting and ceremonial first drive by elected officials, the North Tarrant Express (NTE), a $2.1 billion highway reconstruction project opened to the public.

More than 150 dignitaries, community leaders, workers, and representatives from the developer and the contractor were on hand for the final ribbon-cutting in the city of Fort Worth, on top of the newly constructed Riverside Drive Bridge. “It is a sincere pleasure to be among so many visionary state, local and regional transportation planners, who are not just talking about the future, but making the future a reality,” said Rafael del Pino, chairman of Ferrovial, the parent of Cintra. “According to federal multipliers, a project of this magnitude will have generated more than 26,000 direct and indirect jobs to the region. That is a credit not just to this project, but more so to the dynamic entrepreneurship of the people and businesses of Tarrant County and this region. Together, we will provide long-awaited traffic congestion relief that will ensure that this region remains the engine of a vibrant state economy and will continue to be recognized across the United States, and indeed the world, for years to come.”

As a unique public-private partnership (P3), and the first Comprehensive Development Agreement project signed in the state of Texas in 2009, the NTE project serves as a financial model for other P3 projects. Additionally, it represents an extensive collaborative effort that can be replicated elsewhere in the state and the country. “Public-private partnerships produce outcomes that are greater than the sum of their parts,” said Jane Garvey, chairman of Meridiam North America. “The North Tarrant Express’ opening today is the result of collaboration and consensus between local, state, and federal government, the private sector, and the community at large, and we’re proud to have been a part of this project. I hope that stakeholders across the U.S. can enjoy the benefits of projects of this type and know that we’ll work hard to continue delivering great service and value."

The NTE is seen as a model for other PPPs in Texas and around the country. The three investors in NTE are Cintra (56.7%), Meridiam (33.3%), and the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System (10%). The project has used four methods of financing: an issuance of private activity bonds, a credit line controlled by the U.S. Department of Transportation called TIFIA, the investors’ funds, and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT).

In addition to greatly enhancing the corridor and improving mobility for drivers, the reconstruction project is attracting new businesses to the corridor. “Economic development officials at each of the six cities are already seeing increased interest as the highway has neared completion,” said Belen Marcos, CEO of NTE Mobility Partners. “For nearly two decades, there has been talk about improving this vital highway corridor, which in some respects discouraged businesses from locating here. Now, the end is officially in sight, and businesses are seeing the fully rebuilt corridor as a major asset.”

The project, which began in late 2010, has included the complete reconstruction of expanded frontage lanes and main lanes and the addition of new TEXpress managed lanes along I-820 and SH 121/183 between I-35W in Fort Worth and Industrial Boulevard in Euless. Construction of the NTE was delivered using the design-build method by Bluebonnet Contractors, a joint venture between Ferrovial Agroman US Corp and Webber that provided more than 2,500 jobs to 170 local construction companies.

The NTE project nearly doubles the road capacity with the addition of TEXpress lanes throughout the length of the corridor. Drivers will have the option to travel along the newly rebuilt general highway lanes and frontage roads at no charge, or enter the TEXpress Lanes.

Based on real-time traffic conditions and demand, the TEXpress toll prices will fluctuate periodically throughout the day to maintain a minimum speed of 50 mph. Sensors along the roadway will continuously transmit information about the volume of cars and level of congestion, and tolls will be recalibrated as often as every five minutes. As traffic levels and demand increase, the toll price changes to keep vehicles moving. Once traffic volumes drop, the price goes down.

Extensive signage, including dedicated entrance and exit ramps, will guide drivers safely on and off each segment. Toll rates will be clearly marked at each entrance ramp so drivers can decide if they want to pay to take the TEXpress lanes, or use the general highway lanes. The rate a driver sees on the sign will not change for that segment.

During the first six months following the opening, a fixed schedule with higher rates during rush hours will apply. After this initial period, demand-based congestion-management pricing will be implemented to keep TEXpress traffic moving at 50 mph or faster. Toll rates will be published on the NTE TEXpress website every Sunday for the upcoming week.

The posted speed limit on the TEXpress lanes will be 70 mph; the general purpose, main lanes will have a posted speed limit of 60 mph. The difference is dictated by the fact that there are fewer exits and entrances along the TEXpress lanes. TxDOT will monitor traffic conditions and adjust the speed limit if warranted.