February TxDOT Highway Letting Dates

The Texas Department of Transportation has scheduled its next highway letting for Feb. 8 and 9. Sixty-six projects are approved to be let with an estimated total of $278,211,688.

A TxDOT report said projects may be added, advanced or delayed as deemed necessary.

$21.5 Billion in Transportation Projects Approved

The Texas Transportation Commission recently approved a $21.5 billion plan that will help reduce urban congestion and provide statewide highway, aviation and public transportation funding through 2015.

The Texas Department of Transportation's Statewide Mobility Program guides transportation project development and construction over the next decade. A key part of the program is the Texas Metropolitan Mobility Plan, which gives local officials in Texas' largest urban areas more control in the fight to reduce traffic congestion.

The commission's green light on the Metropolitan Mobility Plan, which incorporates the use of new finance options never before available in Texas, allows TxDOT to fund $15.4 billion in projects in the state's eight largest metropolitan areas. Through traditional funding only, $6.8 billion would have been available.

"This plan moves 90 percent of the metropolitan mobility projects planned for the next 12 years forward in half the time," said Mike Behrens, TxDOT executive director. "This plan gives us a revised blueprint for the future of transportation in Texas."

Approval of this mobility program is the result of several years of work toward simplifying the project selection process to make it easier for local officials and citizens to be involved in planning for the future of transportation in Texas.

The program is part of TxDOT's two-fold plan to improve mobility and maintain the state's existing transportation system. The other half of the plan, approved in May, is the Statewide Preservation Program, a $9 billion blueprint for maintaining the state's existing transportation system.

In other action, the commission authorized the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority to construct the state's first RMA project, U.S. 183-A.

The commission gave approval for TxDOT to begin negotiations with the Grayson County Regional Mobility Authority to develop a pass-through toll agreement that will accelerate the construction of an extension of State Highway 289 in Pottsboro.

"The state's regional mobility authorities are picking up steam with transportation projects planned for their areas," said Behrens. "We are glad to see that happening and we want to support the efforts they put forth in bringing transportation solutions to this state."

There are currently five regional mobility authorities operating in Travis, Williamson, Bexar, Grayson, Cameron, Smith and Gregg counties.

Texas Sterling Awarded $58.6 Million Eastex Freeway Contract

Texas Sterling Construction Inc. of Houston was recently awarded the $58.6 million contract for the expansion of the Eastex Freeway (U.S. 59 North) from a four-lane freeway to an eight-lane freeway with three-lane frontage roads from the Harris County line to Northpark Drive.

The contract represents the first expansion of the reconstruction of U.S. 59 into Montgomery County. The freeway will remain open throughout the construction period, which is scheduled to be complete in September 2007.

Balfour Beatty Wins $84 Million Contract for SH 121

Balfour Beatty recently announced that Balfour Beatty Construction Inc., its United States civil engineering subsidiary, has won six major civil engineering contracts in the U.S. totaling approximately $480 million in Texas, California, Washington and Maryland.

In Texas, an $84 million project was awarded by TxDOT for the upgrade of State Highway 121 in Collin County. This project is for the reconstruction of 5.05 mi. of SH 121 and 0.86 miles of SH 289, replacing the existing interchange to a three-level interchange, divided frontage roads and main lanes, bridge demolition and construction, storm-sewer installation and retaining walls. The project is due for completion in January 2008.

A High Five for Dallas' High Five

The Texas Department of Transportation recently announced the opening of the final two direct-connection ramps for its Dallas High Five project. The two ramps connect northbound and southbound North Central Expressway to eastbound LBJ Freeway.

Completion of this milestone by Zachry Construction Corp. will contribute to the ease of traffic flow and improvement of safety through the High Five Interchange. With six ramps already open, the construction project moves from a bridge project to a highway project. Dallas High Five construction is 10 months ahead of schedule after 33 months of construction.

HNTB Secures Role in Planning of Houston Airport System

HNTB Corp. has secured a lead role in one of the premier airport planning projects in the United States by winning an on-call services contract with the Houston Airport System.

As the prime consultant, HNTB will support the Houston Airport System by providing in-house staff to handle a wide range of planning services for the three airports in the system: Bush Intercontinental, Hobby and Ellington as well as any land holdings the HAS may have throughout the greater Houston area. In addition, HNTB will provide ongoing staff support to the HAS for project administration and capital movements programming as needed.

HNTB, specializing in transportation, bridges, aviation, architecture, urban design and planning, environmental engineering, water and construction services, has Texas offices in Austin, Houston, Dallas and San Antonio.