We don't know yet which company will get to run the 121 toll road in
Collin and Denton counties but we do know it's going to mean a lot of money for a lot of counties - billions of dollars, in fact.
Counties are busy preparing a "wish list," long before the first toll is paid to drive along the new 24-mile stretch of 121 in Denton and Collin counties.
The North Central Texas Council of Governments will start cashing in on the project.
"The big check comes probably later this summer, the projects will be picked this fall, construction can get started in the spring time," said Michael Morris, the organization's director of transportation.
That's a $2 billion check. A private and public contractor are in still in competition for the bid but whichever company is chosen, it will hand over anywhere from $2.1 to 2.5 billion up front.
"We've got a lot of work ahead of us this month, as we sort out NTTA, and the private sector proposal but at the end of the day, it's a nice problem when two different organizations are trying to write you a check for several billion dollars," Morris added.
The windfall is going to be divided between nine counties. Morris is working with the transportation authorities from each county on their priority list, many of which include rail requests.
•On the list in Dallas County is rebuilding LBJ freeway, Trinity Parkway, and more downtown trolleys.
•In Denton County, the money may be spent to rebuild I-35E over Lake Lewisville and extending the passenger rail from Carrolton to Denton and to Farmers Branch.
•In Collin County, the priority is widening US-75 north of 121 and expanding the rail line to Frisco.
•In Tarrant County, the money could be spent to build a passenger rail between downtown and TCU and downtown and the airport.
More coverage
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment