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

  • US toll roads stable for 2014, says Fitch
    December 18, 2013
    Within a broader review of US transport infrastructure securities, including ports and airlines, Fitch Rating analysts say the recent slow growth in aggregate traffic is likely to continue but that many established toll roads look financially solid because of their pricing power - tolls that have been well below revenue maximising levels. Their pricing power has been somewhat reduced, Fitch says, by strong increases in toll rates on many toll roads, which mean they have less scope for big increases in to
  • EIB supports purchase of modern trams for Krakow and Silesia
    July 10, 2015
    The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided two loans totalling over US$85 million for the purchase of modern energy-efficient low-floor trams for Krakow and Upper Silesia Agglomeration in Poland. The EIB will also finance the modernisation of the existing tram stock and infrastructure in Silesia.
  • Smart Cities put people, prudence and businesses before technology
    December 4, 2014
    Caroline Haynes tells ITS International that transport planners and equipment suppliers need to adopt different thinking and the smartest cities don’t call themselves smart. The term Smart Cities has been around for some time and has become something of a catch-all term applied to novel or futuristic technology deployed in an urban setting.
  • Danish cities receive funds for cycle infrastructure
    June 15, 2015
    Three Danish cities have received over US$1.4 million to develop cycling infrastructure. Odense, Faaborg-Midtfyn and Middelfart received the funding from a national transport fund which aims to build bicycle infrastructure, strengthen rural public transport and increase the use of buses across Denmark.