North Tarrant Express Opens New 35W Ramps - Creates more access for Downtown Fort Worth
January 25,2019
Press Release by North Tarrant Express 35W
Mobility continues to improve in Fort Worth as the North Tarrant Express project opens two new access ramps in and out of downtown Fort Worth at Belknap Street and Weatherford Street. The ramps opened Friday afternoon, January 25th.
“The opening of these two new ramps will significantly increase access to and from downtown. As we continue to focus on improving mobility and infrastructure within Fort Worth, these ramps play a vital role in providing additional connectivity and congestion relief,” said Fort Worth Mayor Betsy Price.
NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 (NTEMP3) with North Tarrant Infrastructure (NTI) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) announced the opening of southbound I-35W TEXpress exit ramp to Belknap Street and northbound I-35W TEXpress entrance ramp from Weatherford Street. The two newly built ramps will create greater access for the TEXpress Lanes to and from downtown Fort Worth.
“These lanes will improve center city and through-center mobility and will enhance the appeal of downtown Fort Worth as a premier corporate headquarters, hospitality, residential and retail destination in North Texas,” said Andy Taft, President of Downtown Fort Worth Inc.
The Belknap Street and Weatherford Street ramps were added to the orginal scope of work after construction began. These ramps were constructed in two years and are a part of the larger TEXpress Lanes (managed lanes) network that has created significant congestion relief throughout greater Fort Worth and specifically the downtown and northeast areas.
“We know these new ramps will greatly improve access for everyone who visits Sundance Square. Employees who work downtown and all of our visitors both local and from around the country will be positively impacted,” said Johnny Campbell, President and CEO, Sundance Square.
In July 2018, North Tarrant Express (NTE) 35W project was opened, two months ahead of schedule. The $1.6 billion project, provides drivers the option to travel along the newly rebuilt and expanded 35W or the NTE 35W TEXpress Lanes from downtown Fort Worth to North Tarrant Parkway. The new corridor connects to the North Tarrant Express project along I-820 (North Loop) and SH-121/183 (Airport Freeway) adding an additional 13-miles to the NTE TEXpress Lanes in Northeast Tarrant County.
“These long-awaited ramps on busy I-35 will not only save downtown commuters and visitors valuable time, but also improve access to businesses, decrease hazardous traffic congestion and improve air quality with reduced auto emissions. Everyone’s patience with this major transportation project will soon be rewarded,” said Bill Thornton of the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce.
Breaking ground in May 2014, the 60-year-old infrastructure makeover has included a complete reconstruction of frontage roads, general highway lanes and the addition of two TEXpress Lanes (managed lanes) in each direction. The two original segments of the I-35W project opened in 2017 and 2018.
Ongoing construction information can be found at www.NorthTarrantExpress.com.
Specific information regarding the NTE TEXpress Lanes can be located at www.NTETEXpress.com.
To learn more about the TEXpress Lanes network, visit www.TEXpressLanes.com.
About LBJIG/NTEMP
LBJ Infrastructure Group (LBJIG), NTE Mobility Partners (NTEMP) and NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 (NTEMP3) are three Cintra-led companies, selected to finance, design, build, operate and maintain three major D-FW projects which include: the North Tarrant Express, the LBJ Express and the I-35W project. These projects have improved mobility through a combination of entirely reconstructed general highway lanes and continuous frontage roads, along with new additional tolled capacity in the form of express lanes (TEXpress Lanes) that use variable pricing to keep traffic flowing even during the rush hours. These three projects total $6.4 billion in investment, span 36.7 miles and provide some of the most innovative, congestion management solutions in North Texas.
CONTACT: Brooke Goggans
(469) 629-9468
brooke@mosaicsp.com