Archives > The Sunnyvale View > News
Print
E-mail
Comment
Rate
RSS
Share
SH 190 still in the planning stage
By Zach Markovic, zmarkovic@starloaclnews.com
The eastbound side of the President George Bush Turnpike is slowly making its way down the eastern side of the Metroplex.
In a continuation of looking at possible routes and other issues with the turnpike the SH 190 advisory committee will hold their next meeting on April 21.
“The SH 190 advisory committee are getting close to making a decision on which alignment they will choose,” said Sunnyvale Town Manager Scott Campbell. “We encourage the public to attend these meetings so as much public input can be made.”
“I am very pleased with what I have heard from the committee and I think the effort has been more productive and comprehensive than initially imagined,” Mayor Jim Phaup said. “There is great leadership there. They’re really giving their all in giving their ideas.”
As the economy has dipped in recent years the project has slowed in growth. But now that the eastern exentiosn was opened this year plans for further growth are ongoing.
In other transportation news, NTTA announced that motorists can now find the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension as a route on Google Maps.
Google Map users will find the Eastern Extension as a continuous route from Rowlett to destinations around the Metroplex.
The North Texas Tollway Authority opened the Eastern Extension in December 2011. The 9.9-mile toll road is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs and provides direct connections to Interstate 30 in Garland and Rowlett, the Dallas North Tollway, U.S. 75 and destinations such as DFW International Airport.
The NTTA next expects the Eastern Extension will be visible as a route on TomTom, a portable GPS system, by early May.
NTTA also achieved its highest level of spending with Disadvantaged Minority and Women Business Enterprises (D/M/WBEs) in 2011. This marks the third consecutive year of dynamic growth following the NTTA’s elevation of Business Diversity to a stand-alone department.
D/M/WBE spending from 2010 to 2011 alone represents 19 percent growth. There was an increase in diversity spending in three of the four procurement categories; one remained stable.
“The NTTA continues to increase efforts to reach out to all qualified candidates to ensure maximum opportunities when it comes to doing business with the NTTA,” said NTTA Chairman Kenneth Barr.
Total diversity spending for 2011 is nearly 21 percent of the total agency spend, the most significant participation in NTTA history. D/M/WBE participation increased from $86.7 million in 2010 to $102.6 million in 2011. The NTTA continues to show steady growth from 2008 in the number of D/M/WBEs moving into a prime contractor roles.
Steve Mason is president of Mas-Tek, a D/M/WBE company that recently earned a prime contract on the NTTA’s Chisholm Trail Parkway project. “The NTTA encouraged Mas-Tek to meet for a debriefing following past unsuccessful Request For Proposals. That really helped us to develop our first successful RFP last year and reflected capabilities of our company,” Mason said.
The average toll for driving on the Eastern Extension is 15.3 cents per mile for vehicles with a TollTag. TollTags offer the most convenient, lowest-cost option for paying tolls, and NTTA toll roads provide a seamless route around the Metroplex.
Full TollTag benefits include:
The lowest toll rates – ZipCash customers pay 50 percent more.
Simple online account management – visit us 24/7 at www.NTTA.org.
Discounted terminal parking and pass-through at DFW International Airport and convenient parking payment at all lots.
Convenient parking payment at Dallas Love Field Airport terminal lots.
Easy payment for travel on any Texas toll road.
The following are comments from the readers.
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
In no way do they represent the view of Starlocalnews.com
You must register with a valid email to post comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Only your Member ID will be posted with the comments.
Registered users sign in here:
Become a Registered User
- Return to: News «
- Home «
- Top of Page ^
