Following a six-city progressive ribbon-cutting and
\nceremonial first drive by elected officials, the North Tarrant Express (NTE), a $2.1 billion highway
\nreconstruction project opened to the public.<\/p>\n
More than 150 dignitaries, community leaders, workers, and representatives from the developer and As a unique public-private partnership (P3), and the first Comprehensive Development Agreement In addition to greatly enhancing the corridor and improving mobility for drivers, the reconstruction The project, which began in late 2010, has included the complete reconstruction of expanded frontage The NTE project nearly doubles the road capacity with the addition of TEXpress lanes throughout the Based on real-time traffic conditions and demand, the TEXpress toll prices will fluctuate periodically Extensive signage, including dedicated entrance and exit ramps, will guide drivers safely on and off each During the first six months following the opening, a fixed schedule with higher rates during rush hours The posted speed limit on the TEXpress lanes will be 70 mph; the general purpose, main lanes will have 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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":20,"featured_media":37297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1470],"tags":[1655,1651,2094,2007,2139],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37299"}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/20"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37299"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37299\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37297"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37299"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37299"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/beta.next-finance.net\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37299"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nthe contractor were on hand for the final ribbon-cutting in the city of Fort Worth, on top of the newly
\nconstructed Riverside Drive Bridge.
\n\u201cIt is a sincere pleasure to be among so many visionary state, local and regional transportation planners,
\nwho are not just talking about the future, but making the future a reality,\u201d<\/em> said Rafael del Pino, chairman
\nof Ferrovial, the parent of Cintra. \u201cAccording to federal multipliers, a project of this magnitude will have
\ngenerated more than 26,000 direct and indirect jobs to the region. That is a credit not just to this
\nproject, but more so to the dynamic entrepreneurship of the people and businesses of Tarrant County
\nand this region. Together, we will provide long-awaited traffic congestion relief that will ensure that this
\nregion remains the engine of a vibrant state economy and will continue to be recognized across the
\nUnited States, and indeed the world, for years to come.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nproject signed in the state of Texas in 2009, the NTE project serves as a financial model for other P3
\nprojects. Additionally, it represents an extensive collaborative effort that can be replicated elsewhere in
\nthe state and the country. \u201cPublic-private partnerships produce outcomes that are greater than the sum
\nof their parts,\u201d<\/em> said Jane Garvey, chairman of Meridiam North America. \u201cThe North Tarrant Express’
\nopening today is the result of collaboration and consensus between local, state, and federal
\ngovernment, the private sector, and the community at large, and we’re proud to have been a part of this
\nproject. I hope that stakeholders across the U.S. can enjoy the benefits of projects of this type and know
\nthat we’ll work hard to continue delivering great service and value.”<\/em><\/p>\nThe NTE is seen as a model for other PPPs in Texas and around the country. The three investors in NTE are
\nCintra (56.7%), Meridiam (33.3%), and the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System (10%). The project has used
\nfour methods of financing: an issuance of private activity bonds, a credit line controlled by the U.S.
\nDepartment of Transportation called TIFIA, the investors\u2019 funds, and the Texas Department of Transportation
\n(TxDOT).<\/quote><\/p>\n
\nproject is attracting new businesses to the corridor. \u201cEconomic development officials at each of the six
\ncities are already seeing increased interest as the highway has neared completion,\u201d<\/em> said Belen Marcos,
\nCEO of NTE Mobility Partners. \u201cFor nearly two decades, there has been talk about improving this vital
\nhighway corridor, which in some respects discouraged businesses from locating here. Now, the end is
\nofficially in sight, and businesses are seeing the fully rebuilt corridor as a major asset.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\nlanes and main lanes and the addition of new TEXpress managed lanes along I-820 and SH 121\/183
\nbetween I-35W in Fort Worth and Industrial Boulevard in Euless. Construction of the NTE was delivered
\nusing the design-build method by Bluebonnet Contractors, a joint venture between Ferrovial Agroman
\nUS Corp and Webber that provided more than 2,500 jobs to 170 local construction companies. <\/p>\n
\nlength of the corridor. Drivers will have the option to travel along the newly rebuilt general highway
\nlanes and frontage roads at no charge, or enter the TEXpress Lanes.<\/p>\n
\nthroughout the day to maintain a minimum speed of 50 mph. Sensors along the roadway will
\ncontinuously transmit information about the volume of cars and level of congestion, and tolls will be
\nrecalibrated as often as every five minutes. As traffic levels and demand increase, the toll price changes
\nto keep vehicles moving. Once traffic volumes drop, the price goes down.<\/p>\n
\nsegment. Toll rates will be clearly marked at each entrance ramp so drivers can decide if they want to
\npay to take the TEXpress lanes, or use the general highway lanes. The rate a driver sees on the sign will
\nnot change for that segment.<\/p>\n
\nwill apply. After this initial period, demand-based congestion-management pricing will be implemented
\nto keep TEXpress traffic moving at 50 mph or faster. Toll rates will be published on the NTE TEXpress
\nwebsite every Sunday for the upcoming week.<\/p>\n
\na posted speed limit of 60 mph. The difference is dictated by the fact that there are fewer exits and
\nentrances along the TEXpress lanes. TxDOT will monitor traffic conditions and adjust the speed limit if
\nwarranted. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"