Skip to main content

Funding agreed for reconstruction of Fort Worth I-35W

A significant milestone in the redevelopment and expansion of Interstate 35W in Fort Worth, one of the most critical and most-congested corridors in the North Texas region and in the country has been achieved by NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 LLC (NTEMP3). They have reached financial agreement on Segment 3A of the North Tarrant Express (NTE), paving the way for the reconstruction and expansion of the interstate. The project is being financed through a unique combination of public and private funds: US$
September 20, 2013 Read time: 3 mins
A significant milestone in the redevelopment and expansion of Interstate 35W in Fort Worth, one of the most critical and most-congested corridors in the North Texas region and in the country has been achieved by NTE Mobility Partners Segments 3 LLC (NTEMP3). They have reached financial agreement on Segment 3A of the North Tarrant Express (NTE), paving the way for the reconstruction and expansion of the interstate.

The project is being financed through a unique combination of public and private funds: US$531 million from a federal Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan; US$430 million in private equity from investment partners; $274 million in Private Activity Bonds (PABs) maturing in 25 and 30 years; and US$127 million in public funds from TxDOT and NCTCOG.

“This is a huge win for Texas, and demonstrates significant market confidence in this public-private partnership,” said Nicolas Rubio, president, 5428 Cintra US. “Through this innovative public-private partnership, TxDOT and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) have utilised the strength of the private sector to deliver this project years sooner than otherwise possible and at vastly reduced public costs, while creating local job growth and fostering economic development for the region.”

“The I-35W project has been on the drawing board for decades, but could not advance due to a lack of funding,” said Richard Tettamant of the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System. “Today’s announcement means that North Texas families, commuters and employers will soon have much-needed and long-anticipated relief. We are proud to be investing in the future growth of the Metroplex.”

NTEMP3 will undertake the construction of the US$1.4 billion project to rebuild 6.5 miles of the existing main lanes of I-35W, construct new, expanded frontage roads and expand the highway with the addition of two TEXpress managed toll lanes in both directions, doubling the capacity of the highway.  Construction is expected to begin this fall, with substantial completion in 2018. Segment 3B is being constructed by the 375 Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and will be operated by NTEMP3.

The TEXpress managed toll lanes, which will be implemented in Texas for the first time with the opening of the initial segment of the LBJ Express, will help to manage traffic flow by adjusting according to traffic speed and traffic volume.

“TEXpress Lanes will significantly enhance traffic flow in the region, especially for longer-trip commuters,” said Belen Marcos, CEO for NTEMP3

NTEMP3 is led by Cintra US, a world leader in the private-sector development of transportation infrastructure, and Meridiam Infrastructure, who has extensive expertise in global public-private partnerships as an investor/developer of public facilities. The equity members also include the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System and APG.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • European Bank backs Tblisi metro modernisation
    May 11, 2020
    A loan of €75 million will improve commuters’ journeys in Georgia’s capital
  • North Florida signals coordinated approach to congestion management
    October 7, 2013
    David Crawford investigates innovative congestion management in Florida. The largest US city by area is well into the implementation of an ambitious congestion management system (CMS) on the scale of those of higher-profile centres such as Seattle and San Francisco. Regional agency the North Florida Transportation Planning Organisation (NFTPO) aims to ensure that commuters on major highways in Jacksonville can rely on a minimum 72km/h (45mph) driving speed in normal conditions.
  • Kapsch says US purchase will have world-wide impact
    June 3, 2014
    Peter Ummenhofer, head of the ITS Business Unit at Kapsch TrafficCom, discusses what the recent acquisition of US ATMS specialist Transdyn will mean for the company and the ITS sector. Even a brief perusal of Kapsch’s portfolio lends credence to the company’s assertion that it is more than ‘just a tolling systems and services supplier’. Over the past few years, the company has added road safety enforcement to its offering with significant commercial vehicle operations capabilities, including weigh in motion
  • Work begins on Auckland, New Zealand motorway project
    December 9, 2016
    Work has begun on new US$509 million (NZ$709.5 million) motorway in New Zealand, extending from Puhoi, approximately 50 km north of Auckland, to Warkworth, a distance of 18.5 kilometres. The project is New Zealand’s second Public Private Partnership (PPP) for a state highway and will be delivered by the Northern Express Group, which will finance, design, construct, manage and maintain the motorway for the 25 years that will follow the expected five year period to build the motorway. Full ownership of the