FORT WORTH (WBAP/KLIF) – NTE Mobility Partners announced Thursday the early opening of a major section of the highway corridor as progress continues on the North Tarrant Express 35W project. The opening extends from Northside Drive to the IH 820/I-35W interchange.
The 35W project, which began in May 2014, includes complete reconstruction of frontage roads, general highway lanes and the addition of two managed TEXpress Lanes in each direction. The final section of the North Tarrant Express 35W project from Northside Drive south to I-30 is on schedule to open later this year. The new highway corridor consists of new ramps improving accessibility with additional connections to and from the general highway lanes and the TEXpress Lanes. Drivers can choose to use the rebuilt general highway, bypass and frontage roads at no charge, or utilize the TEXpress Lanes for a faster, more direct commute through the corridor.
“This public-private partnership (P3) is providing a safer more reliable highway corridor in North Texas. We are proud to deliver on our commitment to relieving congestion on one of the busiest corridors in the state,” said Alberto Gonzalez, Chief Executive Officer for NTE Mobility Partners, the project developer. “This project would not be successful without our partnership with TxDOT and regional transportation planners.”
The design-build method played a large role in the early opening because the contractor was able to work in all areas of the corridor simultaneously. This has allowed for an accelerated schedule and for the new highway to be built years ahead of the traditional construction method.
“We have a consistient track record of delivering roadways in North Texas early – largely due to our team of dedicated employees and local subcontractors unmatched experience on large, complex mega-projects,” said Miguel Alonso, Chief Executive Officer for North Tarrant Infrastructure, the project contractor. “Community outreach, traffic management and innovation, such as the dirt-moving conveyor belt built over I-35W, have contributed to the delivery of this phase of the project ahead of schedule.
The opening is part of the $1.6 billion North Tarrant Express 35W project, which includes a 10-miles section of roadway currently ranked 23rd on the state’s most congested roadways list. This section of I-35W from north of I-30 to north of the I-35W/US 287 interchange just south of North Tarrant Parkway in Fort Worth was ranked 6th in congestion at the start of construction in 2013. The reconstruction of general highway lanes and the addition of TEXpress Lanes have already provided relief during heavy traffic periods.
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