North Tarrant Express
Fifteen years ago, the Texas Legislature authorized Public-Private Partnerships (P3s), also known as Comprehensive Development Agreements (CDAs), to fast-track critical infrastructure projects. The North Tarrant Express (NTE), a 13-mile corridor from Fort Worth to Euless along North Loop 820 and State Highways 121/183, became the first P3 highway project approved in Texas.
Construction began in late 2009, and the entire corridor opened to the public on Oct. 4, 2014, nine months ahead of schedule. It featured rebuilt general-purpose lanes, new TEXpress dynamically tolled lanes, and expanded frontage roads. The P3 model allows for faster construction than traditional design-bid-build approaches, with the developer assuming the financial burden through private equity, infrastructure loans, and bonds.
North Tarrant Express
This model engages local contractors, vendors, and suppliers to complete tasks such as relocating utilities, moving dirt, and placing beams along the entire corridor simultaneously. It also takes advantage of private-sector innovation to reduce the use of tax dollars. Since opening, drivers have made 175 million trips along the NTE, with 25 million in 2023 alone.
Despite traffic counts exceeding pre-construction levels, free lanes average 55 mph, while TEXpress lanes maintain 70 mph. Managed lanes have mitigated congestion during peak hours by 30 percent, yielding a time savings of three million hours. Six cities along the corridor have reported increased economic development, new businesses, and renovations of existing ones. The project has also created jobs and boosted revenues for local governments and schools.
The NTE project, a testament to the P3 model, used $1 billion in public funds to create a $6 billion transportation asset. The operator continues to provide 24/7 operations and maintenance at no cost to the public. Additionally, through revenue-sharing and bond refinancing, the project has given $34 million back to the state, which can be reinvested in other transportation projects.
North Tarrant Express
In 2023, eight million unique vehicles traveled the NTE, nearly double the number from 2015. As traffic grows, drivers can choose to use the free lanes or the managed TEXpress lanes, offering choice, trip reliability and safety. Ongoing expansion is now underway, with new free and managed lanes added to accommodate future growth—again at no cost to taxpayers.
The P3 model in Texas is gaining attention from states like Tennessee, North Carolina, Virginia, and Georgia, which are seeking to accelerate infrastructure projects while reducing public funding. The NTE corridor demonstrates that expanding mobility, easing congestion, and fostering economic growth are achievable through public-private partnerships. MORE INFORMATION
