Contact: Media Relations
Phone: (512) 463-8588
 

October 6, 2009

 

Comprehensive Development Agreement for Texas’ DFW Connector Executed

Construction Expected to Begin by 2010 and Open to Traffic in 2014

AUSTIN - Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) officials executed a comprehensive development agreement (CDA) Tuesday with NorthGate Constructors, J.V. to develop, design and construct 8.4 miles of the SH 114/121 corridor, known as the DFW Connector. As proposed, the $1.02 billion project will rebuild the corridor through Southlake, Grapevine and the north edge of the D/FW Airport. The NorthGate Constructors design/build team is led by Kiewit Texas Construction L.P. (Fort Worth), and Zachry Construction Corporation (San Antonio) in addition to a host of Texas and American firms.

While the DFW Connector is a CDA project, it is being built without private funds. TxDOT and the region have identified $667 million in public funds for the DFW Connector. On March 5, the Texas Transportation Commission committed an additional $250 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funds to the project. Another $107 million in Proposition 14 bonds was committed by the Commission in July and will be used for right of way acquisition and utility relocation. The CDA was conditionally awarded by the Commission to NorthGate Constructors on March 26, 2009. TxDOT will operate and maintain the 8.4 mile project after completion.

Prior to execution, the Texas Legislative Budget Board approved the expenditure of appropriated funds on the project and the Texas Office of the Attorney General determined the contract met the legal sufficiency requirements. In addition, TxDOT staff reviewed technical and financial information related to the agreement with members of the community at public hearings in Fort Worth and Dallas and shared its traffic and revenue report for the project with the State Auditor’s Office. The Federal Highway Administration also concurred with the execution of this contract.

More information about this project is available at www.txdot.gov, keyword DFW Connector.

The Texas Department of Transportation
The Texas Department of Transportation is responsible for maintaining nearly 80,000 miles of road and for supporting aviation, rail and public transportation across the state. TxDOT and its 15,000 employees strive to empower local leaders to solve local transportation problems, and to use new financial tools, including tolling and public-private partnerships, to reduce congestion and pave the way for future economic growth while enhancing safety, improving air quality and increasing the value of the state’s transportation assets. Find out more at www.txdot.gov.

For more information contact TxDOT Government and Public Affairs Division at (512) 463-8588
or TxDOT DFW CDA Office at (214) 320-4481