PBS&J to Provide CM Services for Tollway Authority

The recently approved contract, which spans five years, was awarded to PBS&J as one of two consultants to help manage the North Texas Tollway Authority's toll-financed projects.
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Tollway Authority Taps PBS&J Again

The North Texas Tollway Authority's board of directors recently voted unanimously to approve PBS&J's contract to provide construction management services for the next five years. As a result, the firm will serve as one of two consultants that will help advance the authority's program for constructing toll-financed projects in North Texas.

PBS&J has been retained by NTTA to support the agency's rapidly growing work program. Near-term projects include the four-lane, 1.7-mi.-long Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge in Denton County. Construction of the toll bridge, which features a tied-arch center span, is part of a 13-mi. transportation corridor project that kicked off last month. Construction is projected to be completed in 2008.

PBS&J will provide construction management services for the Southwest Parkway, a six-lane, 9.1-mi. controlled-access toll road that is scheduled for construction letting in summer 2007. A joint project of NTTA and TxDOT, the Southwest Parkway includes plans for a five-level interchange at IH-20 and SH 183, as well as a highly complex connection with IH-30 at the northern end of the toll road. This $825 million project is expected to be complete by 2010. Additional assignments will be given during the contract period as the need arises.

"We feel privileged that the NTTA Board has awarded this work to us," said Doug Dillon, PBS&J senior vice president and regional service manager for Construction Services.

PBS&J has conducted other assignments for NTTA in the past and currently serves as its right-of-way program manager, focusing on the eastern extension of the President George Bush Turnpike.

Partnership Pays Off for SH 130

Texas is poised to receive a $1.3 billion private investment to build the remaining 40 mi. of SH 130. (See "Building Confidence," in this issue.)

TxDOT recently stated the agency is focused on five transportation goals: reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of transportation assets.

Under a proposed agreement, Cintra Zachry will help meet the state's transportation goals by putting up the needed financing to complete the toll road from Austin to Seguin. The financing package includes millions in right-of-way costs to be paid by Cintra Zachry, lifting the financial burden from Caldwell, Guadalupe and Travis counties.

As part of the proposed agreement, the state also has negotiated a $25 million up-front concession payment plus a share of the toll revenue over the next 50 years. The state's cut of the toll revenue begins with the first dollar earned on the toll road. The agreement defines how the state's share will increase as toll revenues reach certain levels, eventually reaching a 50-50 split with Cintra Zachry.

It is estimated that the state could receive approximately $1.6 billion over the next 50 years in toll revenue.

State transportation officials stressed that SH 130 will be a state-owned toll road with title to any property purchased to be held by the state. Subject to environmental clearance, Cintra Zachry will be responsible for the financing, design, construction, operation and maintenance over 50 years.

The state will be responsible for the customer service and business operation of TxTag. The southern half of SH 130 will be an all-electronic toll-collection system allowing motorists to travel at highway speeds without stopping at toll plazas.

The agreement calls for the transportation commission to approve the methodology for setting the tolls, as defined in state law.

Environmental work is ongoing on the 40-mi. portion of SH 130 from Austin to Seguin and the environmental approval is expected by year's end.

FutureGen Coming to Texas?

Texas is a step closer to becoming the new home to the U.S. Department of Energy's FutureGen project. Both sites submitted by Texas, one in East Texas and the other West Texas, have made the short list for final selection, placing them among the final four sites under consideration for the $1 billion public-private initiative to build the world's first near-zero emissions coal power plant.

"Texas has once again proven it is a leader in diversified energy production, and we are one step closer to having the world's first near-zero emission coal-fired power plant in Texas," said Gov. Rick Perry. "Both Texas sites bring unique strengths to the FutureGen project and represent the extraordinary resources of our state."

The Texas sites are located near the cities of Jewett (East Texas) and Odessa (West Texas). Texas submitted the two proposals to the FutureGen Industrial Alliance, a non-profit consortium of coal producers formed to partner with DOE for the initiative, in May. The alliance is scheduled to announce its final selection in fall 2007 with groundbreaking set for 2008. The facility is projected to be operational as early as 2012.

The news that the Texas sites made the short list came on the same day that the American Wind Energy Association announced that Texas had bypassed California as the nation's leading wind energy producer.

As well, the Texas Legislature recently passed House Bill 149, which made Texas the first state to assume liability for the carbon dioxide produced by FutureGen and stored in underground wells. The legislation takes effect the first of this month.