From North Texas Tollway Authority:

Construction Moves Forward as Eastern Extension Project Nears Half-way Point

The much anticipated President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension project is nearing the half-way point and is expected to open to traffic in approximately 18 months. The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike. It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s.
 
The new six-lane toll road will extend the Bush Turnpike by nearly 10 miles. Divided into five sections, the NTTA is constructing four sections, while the Texas Department of Transportation is constructing the fifth section.
 
Preliminary work began in 2007 when TxDOT provided the NTTA a $160 million toll equity grant for right of way acquisition and utility costs. The grant represents a partnership among various agencies and a commitment to improve mobility for North Texas. Project partners include TxDOT, Dallas County and the cities of Dallas, Garland, Rowlett and Sachse.
 
The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
For more information about the Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension or other NTTA projects, visit www.ntta.org.
 

 
The opening of the Eastern Extension of SH-190 will provide a new route for Metroplex traffic and open doors for north Garland businesses. Also, as future construction on I-635 impedes traffic through that familiar corridor, many drivers will choose the SH-190 alternative. The extension will be a boost to drivers and businesses in Garland, Sachse, and Rowlett.
 

The newest entrance to Garland, on the SH-190 Eastern Extension, takes shape as the new bridge across Rowlett Creek draws closer to completion (see Section 28 on map below). The overpass ahead is Firewheel Parkway. Home Depot can be seen in the distance. Best Buy is to the left and Firewheel Town Center is to the right.

From NTTA President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Update:
 

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Click graphic for large version

The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate Highway (IH) 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s. Construction on the approximately 9.9-mile corridor began in October 2008. The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
Milestones

• A $160 million toll equity grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to the NTTA was approved for right of way (ROW) and other costs on August 23, 2007.
• A three-party agreement among the NTTA, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was executed in November 2007.
• In addition, a TxDOT/NTTA two-party agreement was executed, allowing eminent domain proceedings for critical ROW acquisition to begin; property acquisitions are ongoing.
• TxDOT approved a revised schematic on March 7, 2008.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 permit was approved April 25, 2008.
• The City of Dallas (Dallas Water Utilities, or DWU) agreement for the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge was approved by the Dallas City Council and NTTA Board of Directors in May 2008.
• A rail-crossing agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was approved by the DART Board and NTTA Board, also in May 2008.
• FHWA approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Re-evaluation on July 1, 2008.
• A groundbreaking for the first construction contract, Section 30, from north of the future Merritt Road to south of Main Street in Rowlett, took place August 21, 2008. Construction began on October 13, 2008.
• All five sections of the extension were officially under construction by mid-March 2009.

Corridor Updates

• A migratory bird survey found no nesting birds in the remaining ROW of Section 28, which allowed clearing and construction to begin. The contractor’s earthwork subcontractor received a Nationwide Permit 33 from the USACE for the installation of a construction access road across Rowlett Creek. The contractor has constructed ramp detours and installed a temporary traffic signal for the intersection of State Highway 78 and the eastbound frontage road.
• In Section 29, crews began installing front panels for the retaining wall at the Miles Road bridge. Crews also continued installing the retaining walls at Merritt Road. In addition, workers continued installing moisture-treated subgrade at Miles and Merritt roads.
• In Section 30, the contractor continued work on the future Merritt/Liberty Grove connector, a new culvert and the placement of various retaining walls and water lines throughout the project. Placement of the bridge decks at the Liberty Grove bridges has begun, and the Kirby Road detour adjacent to Rowlett High School was constructed.
• The Section 31 contractor continued installing underground utilities and doing earthwork from the southern project limit proceeding north. Crews also continued the moisture-treated subgrade work near the southern project limit and installation of the retaining walls at the south end of the project near Miller Road to Lake Ray Hubbard. In addition, the contractor began working on the southbound frontage road north of Miller Road.
• Section 32 is being constructed by TxDOT.

Next Steps

• Open the service road in front of the Mariners Cove subdivision in Rowlett, Section 30
• Switch DART service to temporary tracks in Section 30
• Continue construction on all sections

Corridor Details

• Project limits: Extends the PGBT from SH 78 to IH 30
• Project length: Approximately 9.9 miles
• Anticipated project cost: Approximately $1 billion
• Anticipated NTTA cost: Approximately $623 million
• Anticipated opening date (all sections): Fourth quarter 2011

Project Partners

  TxDOT, Dallas County, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Sachse
 

 
The north Garland section, Section 28, is nearing the final grades for the roadway and for entrance and exit ramps. Lanes are beginning to take shape in the canyon section near Firewheel Town Center. The new ramps to Lavon Ave (SH-78) are also taking shape. Changes in the roadway elevation, not yet started, is forcing the construction of new ramps. The large panels used to construct the retaining walls have been stacked in several locations as that work starts. Opening is still expected in the fourth quarter, 2011.
 

From Nation Cities Weekly, a publication of the National League of Cities:

Securing Your Highest 'Return on Investment' Through Redevelopment

by Christiana McFarland and Will McGahan
 

The current economic downturn has underscored the benefits of more sustainable, intense, interconnected development based on existing local assets and infrastructure. Common models include transit-oriented and mixed-use development.
 
Return on investment from these efforts comes in the form of higher property values, extended life of previous infrastructure investments, retention of community character, revitalization of local businesses and a stable synergy among housing, transportation, and retail and industry activity.
 
But redevelopment is not without its challenges. Communities that are built out or simply seeking more sustainable development patterns encounter many hurdles. For example, many existing land use and other local regulations prohibit mixing uses. Additionally, banks and other investors may not be willing to take on the risk they associate with redevelopment.
 
Local officials from first tier suburban communities — those outside of central cities and inside the ring of developing suburbs and rural areas — know these challenges all too well. During the summer meeting of NLC’s First Tier Suburbs Council, hosted by Garland, Texas, Councilmember and Council Chair Douglas Athas in his city, steering committee members explored redevelopment projects throughout the Dallas region and discussed how to translate these best practices into realities for their own communities.
 
"Go after deals that make sense for your community and that leverage what you already have," said Paul Mayer, CEO of Garland Chamber of Commerce.
 
In Plano, Texas, that’s just what they did. With the announced extension of Dallas Area Rapid Transit in 1998, the city started planning for the future to bring new life to its already distinct, historic downtown.
 
"Downtown Plano has been transformed into a vital, active urban village through a strategy combining transit oriented development, public-private partnerships, and community support and participation," said Frank Tuner, Plano deputy city manager.
 
Among the redevelopment strategies used in Plano and in other communities in the region, the following were said to be key:

• Provide leadership and political will;
• Be educated about the benefits of redevelopment and help educate constituents and other key stakeholders;
• Understand that the benefits of a mixed-use project will be realized over a longer time frame than traditional development, but will garner much greater and more stable local revenues;
• Streamline your development process and consider form-based codes;
• Act as a facilitator and partner in the project;
• Provide strategic financial and regulatory support to help equalize economic risk of the developer; and
• Find a development partner that is invested in the community.

Other Texas communities on the steering committee’s tour of successful redevelopment and transit-oriented projects included Duncanville, North Richland Hills and Richardson. The committee also discussed regionalism, retail revitalization, neighborhood vitality and economic attraction strategies.
 
Details: For more information about NLC’s First Tier Suburbs Council or NLC’s Center for Research and Innovation’s work on finance and economic development, contact Christiana McFarland at mcfarland@nlc.org or William McGahan at mcgahan@nlc.org.
 

 
The article above gives some details on the recent First Tier Suburbs Council meeting held in Garland that I announced here. It was a very positive meeting and attendees gave it high praise.
 
Much of the credit for the successful meeting goes to assistant director Anita Russelmann in the Planning Dept for her dedication and time spent coordinating the speakers and other arrangements. Deputy city manager Martin Glenn and development director Neil Montgomery gave their full support and experience to the planning that resulted in a meeting judged by some of those attending as "the best summer meeting of the FTS Council ever." The authors of the article above, Christiana McFarland and Will McGahan, are also to be complimented because they are the NLC liaisons to the FTS Council and they handled all the arrangements and updates necessary from their end. Chamber of Commerce CEO Paul Mayer and economic development director Ayako Schuster met with Christy and Will a day earlier to explain local economic development efforts, the importance of the job training facility at the Garland campus of Richland College, and Garland's unique Economic Development Partnership between the city, chamber, and school district. Paul and Ayako were also available at all meetings to help field questions from FTS members that represented most areas of the country.
 
I offer my appreciation to these individuals and the others that helped gain Garland this recognition. I also appreciate those members of the City Council that were able to participate and help host our guests.
 

Riding a bicycle across the city, in almost all areas, is a challenge and a total disregard for one's personal safety. There are a few areas to ride a bike safely, such as Audubon Park in south Garland and the Lake Ray Hubbard natural trails here in District 1. There is a designated bike route on Glenbrook north of Downtown but I seldom see anyone using that route.
 
Looking ahead, there has been some initial planning by the Transportation Dept to designate a route from south Garland to north Garland. We will be discussing and looking at the bike route issue in the next Development Services Committee meeting, date not yet set. Meanwhile, looking at what other cities are doing and identifying best practices can speed the process locally and help us make good decisions. Anyone able to attend this presentation by the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the City of Dallas should get a quick head start:
 

Click the graphic to follow a link to the event's website and more information.

 
I hope to be able to go so maybe I'll see you there!
 

From WFAA.com:

North Texas traffic among worst in the country

Posted on April 26, 2010 at 6:42 PM
 
Fort Worth - A new study finds that traffic in the Dallas-Fort Worth area is the 5th worst in the entire country.
 
John Horsley, Executive Director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, relayed the information during a news conference Monday at the National Association of County Engineers' annual conference.
 
The AASHTO's report, Transportation Reboot: Unlocking Gridlock, is the first in a series aimed at boosting transportation capacity.
 
It identifies what the agency considered needed projects across the country, including in Texas.
 
The study says bottlenecks cause 40% of all congestion, and the gridlock costs Americans time and money.
 
The solutions presented Monday include using millions of dollars to build new highways.
 
Texas, however, does not have the funding.
 

AASHTO Press Release:

States Make the Case for Building Essential Transportation Capacity

• Workers with a 30-minute commute lose nearly three full work days a year sitting in traffic. In large cities like Los Angeles, delays exceed 60 hours a year.
• In the past decade, Texas added more than 3.8 million people.
• Kansas estimates it will take $1 billion to unstop the bottlenecks choking Interstate travel.

As the evidence shows, travel is greatly out-distancing available room on the roads. A series of new reports, Transportation Reboot: Restarting America's Most Essential Operating System, by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), makes the case for increasing the nation's transportation capacity. State transportation leaders have identified their most urgently needed capacity expansion projects that are critical to rebuilding the economy and keeping a competitive edge worldwide.
 
"Our first report, Unlocking Gridlock, shows that we are experiencing system overload," said John Horsley, AASHTO's executive director, at a news conference today in Texas to release the report. "While congestion levels declined with the recession, congestion is now returning, costing millions in lost time and productivity. Capacity increases are needed in transit, rail, and particularly in highways."
 
"Even with strategies to reduce traffic and improve transit, highway system expansion is critical," said AASHTO President Larry "Butch" Brown, director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation. "If most or all of our capital investment were made in system rehabilitation and little to none in adding needed capacity, road conditions would improve, but traffic would grind to a halt."
 
Urgent capacity expansion projects cited in the report range from Houston's U.S. 290 Corridor, one of the most congested highways in Texas that is projected to serve staggering growth, to expansion of the I-15 CANAMEX trade corridor in Nevada. Other projects include completion of the Interstate 905 freeway in southern California and new commuter rail links in Michigan. These urgent capacity projects and others are described in detail on the AASHTO website ExpandingCapacity.transportation.org, which also includes the full report.
 
"Texas continues to grow rapidly, even during these times of economic recession and uncertainty. As more new Texans move to our state each day, the challenges facing us in addressing the worsening urban congestion only increase," said Amadeo Saenz Jr., executive director of the Texas Department of Transportation. "Finding ways to successfully implement transportation solutions that increase capacity and improve mobility within our major metropolitan and urban communities is a high priority for Texas."
 
Susan Martinovich, director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, has seen first-hand how population increases affect capacity needs. "Over past years, Nevada's population grew faster than much of the rest of the nation," she said. "To provide mobility, increase safety, and spur commerce for this larger population, it is vital that Nevada has the ability to add needed transportation improvements and upkeep existing roads."
 
Future reports in the Transportation Reboot series will address connecting rural and urban America, and the nation's freight capacity needs. For a short video outlining key points of the report, go to www.transportation.org.
 

 
So, who is worse than Dallas/Fort Worth?
 

Today's Dallas Mornting News, Metro section, carries a story on the Garland Road Vision Study that has been underway in Dallas. I was representing Garland at the Regional Transportation Council meeting when the grant was approved for NCTCOG to help fund the study. There has since been a series of meetings with stakeholders as a part of the visioning process. It has been my hope that the vision would be one that could be a boost to the area and naturally transcend to Garland.
 
Garland Ave on our side of the city limit is one of the areas that the staff has been working with consultants to study as part of the economic component of Envision Garland.
 
Garland Ave is a major entryway to the whole of Garland. Our long range success as a city is strongly affected by how we address our side of Garland Ave/Rd and will be strongly affected by how Dallas addresses their side. Right now, the challenges are very similar. To say that I'm anxiously waiting to see the results of both studies is an understatement.
 

From the Dallas Morning News:

A vision takes shape for Garland Road

12:56 AM CDT on Monday, April 12, 2010
By NANCY VISSER / The Dallas Morning News
nvisser@dallasnews.com
 
Picture this vision of Garland Road in East Dallas:
 
New development south of the White Rock Lake spillway offers apartments, shops and restaurants overlooking the creek. People walk there from the lake or bike along the nearby Santa Fe Trail.
 
A trolley runs the length of the corridor from Gaston Avenue to LBJ Freeway. Riders can stop at the Arboretum and then get back on to dine at Casa Linda Plaza.

"We're going to set this up and sell it. And they're going to say, 'That's where we want to build.'" Sheffie Kadane, [Dallas] City Council member

 
Kids climb an observation deck at a park along the Kansas City Railroad yard to watch the trains switch cars.
 
Young professionals walk from new townhouses near Jupiter Road to a farmers market at White Rock Marketplace.
 
These concepts are part of the Garland Road Vision Plan, which is nearing completion and could be used to guide private development, transportation improvements and beautification projects for years to come.
 
A final public meeting held Thursday produced no opposition to the general plan. Now, urban planners HOK Consultants will prepare the plan for presentation to city officials.
 
Luring new business
If the council adopts the plan, it would establish rules for what future development and public projects would look like. The hope is that new business will be attracted to the corridor as the changes take place.
 
"We're going to set this up and sell it. And they're going to say, 'That's where we want to build,' " said Sheffie Kadane, City Council member for that district.
 
Garland Road, which is old Texas 78, was developed with little regulation. As a result, it has a confusing array of signs, an odd assortment of businesses, six-lanes of roadway with concrete medians, very little landscaping and few continuous sidewalks.
 
Several years ago, former City Council member Gary Griffith proposed the idea for the Garland Road vision project. An advisory committee raised $30,000 and got a $120,000 grant from the North Central Texas Council of Governments to pay for the study, which began last fall.
 
Through a series of public meetings, the consultants learned that residents there love their neighborhoods, which include Forest Hills, Little Forest Hills, Casa Linda, Casa View and Lochwood. They also favor the unique businesses and appreciate the beauty of White Rock Lake and the Dallas Arboretum.
 

New Plans for a busy thoroughfare

The Garland Road Vision Study identifies five proposed sites for mixed-use development that could include residential, retail, restaurants and office space. They are:

 
Higher standards
But they want higher standards for the stretch overall. And based on that input, the consultants addressed these three areas:

• Development: Five areas were identified for mixed-use development that would include restaurants, retail and residential space. Mark Bowers of HOK Consultants said they were identified in part because they had large parcels with single owners, which would be more practical for developers in search of opportunities.
       Margaret Bell, a Lochwood resident and member of the advisory committee, said the mixed-use development would attract young professionals, who would then attract better restaurants and other businesses.
       Isaac Bowman, who lives in Casa Linda and is building in Little Forest Hills, encouraged the consultants and advisory committee last week to find ways to increase the tax base to support the proposals.
       "Don't get me wrong," he said. "I don't want it to look like McKinney, where every gas station looks like every dry cleaning business in the area." But, he said, there's a clear need to attract better businesses.
       He noted that he and his wife spend their money outside the area, driving 30 minutes round trip to eat out and shop for groceries in Lakewood.
   
• Mobility: Residents made it clear that they don't want Garland Road widened, but they want it to flow better.
       "Believe it or not, sidewalks are one way to solve the mobility problem on Garland Road," said Bowers, the HOK consultant. "There are 70 bus stops, some of them spaced close together, because there are no connected sidewalks and people need to get to bus stops from their neighborhoods."
       He said DART could eliminate two-thirds of the bus stops if people could walk along Garland Road from their neighborhoods.
       People also requested DART light rail or some kind of trolley or tram system. The consultants found that a rubber-tire trolley could be implemented with minimal investment.
   
• Beautification: Consultants' sketches show sidewalks, trees, underground electrical lines, lights and medians with rock landscaping.
       Gerry Worrall, chairman of the advisory committee, said he particularly likes recommendations for natural stone, trees and landscaping similar to that found at the lake and arboretum.
       "Pick up that flavor and carry it on," he said.
       The plan also includes an observation deck at the train yard, a dog park near LBJ Freeway, community gardens or art parks and a farmers market at White Rock Marketplace.
       Once the plan is adopted, the people involved will begin to look for grants or government funding for some of the projects.
       Worrall said the advisory committee was going to disband once the study was complete but has decided to continue. "We will go forward in some form for funding or advocacy or coordination," he said.

All of north Garland has easy access to the turnpike and most regular users have one of those 1.8 million tolltags. For those that prefer to use the ZipCash option, the NTTA offers one more way to make paying tolls easier:
 

North Texas Tollway Authority Press Release:

NTTA to Partner with ACE Cash Express

Partnership to offer more payment options for ZipCash customers
 
The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is partnering with ACE Cash Express, a leading Texas-based retailer of financial services, to provide additional locations for NTTA customers to pay their ZipCash invoices and to open and load cash-backed TollTag accounts.
 
"The NTTA wants to offer convenient opportunities for our ZipCash customers and to offer a TollTag option for our cash customers," said Clayton Howe, NTTA assistant executive director of operations. "Adding more payment centers by partnering with ACE will assist the NTTA and its customers during and following the conversion of our system to all-electronic toll collection, especially as our system and operations continue to grow."
 
For a small fee, customers will be able to:

• Sign up for cash-backed TollTag accounts. Dallas/Fort Worth ACE customers will have the opportunity to open new cash-backed TollTag accounts and re-load existing accounts.
• Pay ZipCash statements. Customers who receive ZipCash invoices or ZipCash late invoices can visit any ACE location to pay their bill efficiently and quickly.
• TollTag customers also will be able to add cash to their accounts at any ACE Cash Express location.

Customers will be able to visit 152 ACE Cash Express locations in the Dallas//Fort Worth Metroplex, providing convenient neighborhood payment locations for NTTA cash customers.
 
"ACE Cash Express is pleased to be working directly with the NTTA to establish such a meaningful program," said Victor Faszczuk, vice president of business development for ACE. "ACE has always been viewed as a community-based business, offering customers quality financial services with attention to high customer care. Our objective has always been to add partnerships that make it easier for customers to take care of their financial needs, and this important partnership with NTTA is an example of that direction."
 
ZipCash customers enjoy the same hassle-free roadway experience that TollTag customers do, but pay a 50 percent higher toll rate due to the cost of collection. By getting a TollTag, they can save money on their tolls and enjoy the convenience of not worrying about invoices. They can also get up to three TollTags per account. TollTag customers also can use their TollTag to travel on any toll road in Texas. Customers whose accounts are backed with a credit or debit card can use their TollTags for parking and pass-through privileges at D/FW International Airport and all parking at Dallas Love Field.
 
TollTags are always available online and at Regional TollTag Partner locations.
 
The ACE partnership is expected to fully launch in the second quarter of 2010. For more information about the NTTA, visit www.ntta.org. For more information about ACE Cash Express, visit www.acecashexpress.com.
 

Before I knew about toll tags, I'd see people zooming through the toll gates without stopping. I thought they were running the gates. Glad I learned of the toll tags before any ideas to follow them ever surfaced!
 

North Texas Tollway Authority News Release:

NTTA Milestone: 1.8 million TollTags and Growing

The NTTA has reached yet another milestone by issuing its 1.8 millionth active TollTag.
 
"This milestone means that hundreds of thousands of additional North Texans are saving money as well as improving efficiency, mobility and safety on the roads," said NTTA Assistant Executive Director of Operations Clayton Howe.
 
There are many reasons why motorists should get a TollTag. Customers who use ZipCash—the NTTA's cashless toll collection method—pay 50 percent more than customers who have TollTags. Having a TollTag also eliminates stop-and-go travel and allows for better fuel efficiency. TollTags also can be used on any tollroad in Texas. Customers whose accounts are backed with a credit or debit card can also use their TollTags for parking and pass-through privileges at D/FW International Airport and for all parking at Dallas Love Field. Customers can have up to three TollTags, a “family pack,” on one account at no additional charge. TollTag accounts also can be managed online 24/7 at www.ntta.org where customers can print out receipts for expense reports, update account information and much more.
 
The NTTA currently collects more than 80 percent of its toll revenue electronically and is preparing to convert the remainder of the NTTA System to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) by 2011. Once converted, NTTA facilities will no longer accept cash in the toll lanes. After the conversion, tolls must be paid with a TollTag account or through the NTTA’s ZipCash program.
 
Motorists can visit www.ntta.org or call 972-818-6882 (NTTA) to open a new account or add a TollTag to an existing account. They also can sign up at their nearest Regional TollTag Partner or with the NTTA TagWagon at community events.
 

 
Also, don't forget the Teens in the Driver Seat expo with NTTA Saturday at Firewheel Town Center! NTTA has more information here.