$2 Billion Fort Worth Project Moves Forward

Partnerships compete for the North Tarrant Express project.

Four Teams Make Finalist List for $2 Billion Fort Worth Project

Four teams were selected by TxDOT as finalists for the private sector firm to accelerate mobility improvements for a high-priority corridor in the Fort Worth area. The second round of competition for the development of the North Tarrant Express competing fo public-private partnership involvement include: B3 Connect Texas of Austin; Itinere Infrastructure LLC of Bethesda, Md.; NTE Mobility Partners of Austin; and OHL Infrastructure Inc. of Austin.

The next step in the competitive selection process is for TxDOT to request detailed proposals from the teams, which will focus on developing, financing, constructing and maintaining the first segment at IH-820 from IH-35W to the northeast interchange, which includes a new multi-level interchange at IH-35W. The 6.4-mi segment would include the addition of four tolled managed express lanes plus one non-toll lane in each direction. The best value proposer will also assist TxDOT in developing the remaining corridor segments.

The final selection is expected by spring. The North Tarrant Express is a 36-mi project. The improvements, estimated at $2 billion, will reconstruct and add lanes including express toll-managed lanes. The environmental process is ongoing.

Central Texas Turnpike Project Surpasses Traffic Projections

The Central Texas Turnpike Project in Austin recently announced it has surpassed its original 2002 traffic projections with a weekday average of approximately 129,600 toll transactions each day; a figure 63% higher than anticipated.

Toll transactions on each toll road - Loop 1, SH 45 and SH 130 - are higher than expected when compared to the 2002 projections, according to data reported in May.

$50 Million Cleveland Relief Route Set to Start

Groundbreaking of the relief route around Cleveland is set for January. The $50 million project will link SH 105 to U.S. 59 just south of Cleveland High School along SH 321.

Initially, the route will consist of two lanes, but it will be designed to allow for four lanes in the future if necessary. Traffic along SH 105 through the city will yield to the bypass traffic once it is completed.

Another major project planned for the area is improvements to SH 105 from Moss Hill to Tarkington. A $14 million improvement project on SH 105 from Moss Hill to Tarkington will include shoulder upgrades to the existing road way and passing lanes, which will actually be four lanes, on portions of the high traffic roadway.

Widening Begins on San Antonio’s N.W. Military Highway

TxDOT and its contractor, Dean Word Company Ltd. of New Braunfels, recently began widening the N.W. Military Highway (FM 1535) from Braesview to just north of Huebner in north central San Antonio. The $23.7 million project will widen the roadway from four to six lanes.

Crews have removed existing asbestos pipe and are installing a CPS gas line. Crews are also installing storm sewer laterals across the road, cutting into the pavement and restoring the roadway.

N.W. Military Highway currently carries between 18,500 and 11, 840 vehicles per day. The 2.4-mi project began in June and is anticipated to be completed by fall 2009.

U.S. 277 Expansion Project Under Way in Wichita Falls

Euless-based contractor T.J. Lambrecht started an expansion project recently on U.S. 277 in Wichita Falls. The 12.5-mi stretch extends from near Mabelle to near Dundee. The $16.5 million construction project will take 18 months to complete.

U.S. 277 is being expanded to a four-lane divided highway between Wichita Falls and Abilene.

Two new lanes with inside and outside shoulders for future northbound traffic will be added. Once the new northbound lanes are finished, the present lanes will be resealed and striped for southbound only motorists. Construction is expected to finish this winter.

Wichita Falls Project Forced to Cancel Citing Utility Issues

Utility issues have forced TxDOT to cancel a contract for the new IH-35/U.S. 82 interchange. The job, which was being built by Austin Bridge and Road.

Several utilities had to be relocated as part of the $14.7 million project. The contract termination was a result of increases in utility costs and unanticipated delays in utility relocations. The project will be re-scheduled for a later date to allow the majority of the utilities to be cleared prior to construction. The project is tentatively scheduled to relet in the spring.

Houston Firm Provides Right-of-Way Services

Houston-based Cobb, Fendley & Associates Inc. will provide right-of-way acquisition professional services for the TxDOT’s Pharr District as part of the ongoing U.S. 83 Expressway expansion in Zapata and Starr Counties.

Cobb Fendley will coordinate appraisal services and appraisal reviews in addition to providing research and the necessary information for title and closing services. Cobb Fendley will also provide negotiation services, relocation assistance and condemnation support to secure the necessary right-of-way land parcels.

Round-the-Clock Highway Work Repairs High Water Damage

Emergency repairs on Texas 288-South Freeway in Houston resulted in the closing of one lane on the north- and southbound lanes of the South Freeway this summer for one month.

The emergency repairs were required following damages from high water in Sims Bayou. An existing soil nail wall was exposed on the south abutment of the bridge on Texas 288-South Freeway spanning Sims Bayou. The soil nail wall was replaced with steel sheeting. In addition, the U.S. Corps of Engineers made repairs to the Sims Bayou channel beneath the bridge to prevent further erosion.

NBG Constructors Inc. of Houston was awarded the $1.99 million contract for emergency repairs. Workers were on the job non-stop during the project.