The North Texas Turnpike Authority and Rowlett High School have used technology to bring to listeners oral reports on the progress of the Eastern Extension of SH-190. Work on the extension is very obvious near Firewheel Town Center and continues in a loop through Sachse, Rowlett, and south Garland to I-30. The first podcast can be heard here but follow the links in the press release below to hear monthly updates.
 

NTTA Using Podcasts to Offer PGBT EE Construction Updates

Plano, TX – Motorists can now keep up with progress on the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension (PGBT EE) through podcasts containing information about the roadway’s construction activities and traffic impacts.
 
The project is part of a joint effort between the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) and Rowlett High School (RHS).
 
For the monthly podcast, NTTA staff writes informational scripts and records the audio. RHS students and their advisers then edit and post the podcast online.
 
“We are pleased that we were given the opportunity to work with Rowlett High School to provide information about this critical mobility project,” said Rick Herrington, NTTA deputy executive director. “These podcasts provide an additional tool for communicating with motorists about this project.”
 
The first podcast is online and addresses a traffic detour on Kirby Road in front of the high school. To access it, go to the RHS Web site, click on “media gallery,” then “announcements,” then “Turnpike Tidbits.”
 
The 9.9-mile PGBT EE is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor that first was envisioned in the 1960s. It will lengthen the PGBT southeast from State Highway (SH) 78, over Lake Ray Hubbard, to Interstate Highway (IH) 30. Construction on the extension began in October 2008; it is expected to open to traffic in late 2011.