U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Tuesday, April 24, that Texas’ North Tarrant Express project has entered the final stage to receive $415 million under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing program, advancing a project that will address safety and congestion.
The North Texas project includes improvements to sections of I-35W and construction of an interchange at I-35W and I-820. In addition, the project develops multimodal managed lanes to serve the region’s public transportation providers. The portions of I-35W slated for improvement currently rank 5th and 25th on the list of Texas’ most congested roadways. The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) North Tarrant Express application requested $537 million in Fiscal Year 2012 TIFIA credit assistance.
TxDOT has planned extensively for I-35W improvements with its local partners while aggressively seeking a funding award. Construction could begin in 2013, subject to a final agreement with TxDOT’s project partners, and subsequent determination of legal sufficiency by the Attorney General and Legislative Budget Board approval.
“The North Tarrant Express project leverages federal investment with significant state and private contributions,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “This public-private partnership will improve the entire I-35 corridor and the ability to transport goods and services throughout the nation.”