Milestones

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Milestones

History and Mission for the North Texas Tollway Authority

The North Texas Tollway Authority's origins can be traced back to 1953 with the creation of the Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA), a state agency charged with building and operating the Dallas Fort Worth Turnpike between Dallas and Fort Worth. The project was started in 1955 and completed in 1957.

In 1977, when all outstanding bonds were retired, the road was transferred to the Texas Department of Transportation as a toll-free highway, 17 years ahead of schedule. TxDOT designated the former DFW Turnpike as Interstate 30. (It is no longer a statewide practice to remove tolls from roadways due to a lack of state funding to maintain the roadways.)

The TTA began its second project, the Dallas North Tollway, in 1966 and opened the first segment to motorists in 1968. In 1977, the TTA initiated construction on the two-mile Mountain Creek Lake Toll Bridge in Grand Prairie, which opened to traffic in 1979. Throughout the years, the TTA also began projects in other areas of Texas, including the Houston Ship Channel Bridge.

NTTA was created on Sept. 1, 1997 to finance, construct and oversee turnpike projects in North Texas. At that time, the TTA's assets and liabilities in North Texas were transferred to NTTA.

NTTA has the first option to develop toll roads planned in North Texas. When a proposed roadway's feasibility does not support tolling, NTTA may choose to waive its primacy.

NTTA does not receive tax revenue for its operations; however our partner cities, which do collect sales taxes, frequently buy right-of way for the roads. The donation of that property is seen as an investment for those cities, which they later realize through increased property values along the roadway corridor.

Milestones

1953	Texas Turnpike Authority is created
1957	Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike opens
1968	Dallas North Tollway opens
1978	Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike tolls are removed; road is designated Interstate 30
1979	Mountain Creek Lake Bridge in Grand Prairie opens
1987	Dallas North Tollway extension to Briargrove Lane in Dallas opens
1989	Electronic TollTag system is introduced on Dallas North Tollway
1994	Dallas North Tollway extension to State Highway 121 opens
1997	North Texas Tollway Authority is created
1998	President George Bush Turnpike opens between Midway and Preston roads
1999	Addison Airport Toll Tunnel opens
1999	President George Bush Turnpike extends east to Campbell Road
2000	President George Bush Turnpike extends east to State Highway 78
2001	President George Bush Turnpike extends west to Interstate 35E
2001	The portion of the President George Bush Turnpike between I-635 and Belt Line Road opens
2003	Electronic TollTag system becomes interoperable with Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Harris County Toll Road Authority
2004	Dallas North Tollway extends north to Gaylord Parkway in Frisco
2005	Electronic TollTag system becomes interoperable with Dallas Love Field Airport
2005	President George Bush Turnpike opens between I-35E and I-635
2005	NTTA issues its 1 millionth TollTag
2007	Construction begins on the Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge in Denton County
2007	Dallas North Tollway extends north to U.S. 380
2007	NTTA makes a $3.2 billion payment to the region for the 121 Tollway (now designated as the Sam Rayburn Tollway)
2008	NTTA assumes responsibility for operations, maintenance and construction of the 121 Tollway for the next 50 years
2008	$50 million renovation to the south end of the Dallas North Tollway is completed
2008	Construction begins on the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension from SH 78 to I-30
2008	The NTTA issues its 1.5 millionth TollTag
2009	NTTA celebrates the 20th anniversary of the TollTag
2009	Sam Rayburn Tollway is selected as the new name for the 121 Tollway
2009	President George Bush Turnpike switches to cashless tolling
2009	Sam Rayburn Tollway extended to just west of Hardin Boulevard
2009	NTTA's sustainability initiatives earn the 2009 Toll Excellence Award from the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association
2009	NTTA earns the Technology Adopter Award from the Metroplex Technology Business Council
2009	Safe-T Buzz takes off to help improve safety on NTTA roads
2009	NTTA launches its Relationships and Opportunities Advancing Diversity (ROAD) program
2009	Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge opens to traffic (August 2009)
2010	NTTA Board of Directors formally accepts State Highway 161 in Dallas County and votes to continue advancing Chisholm Trail in Tarrant and Johnson Counties
2010	Construction begins on the Sam Rayburn Tollway/Dallas North Tollway interchange
2010	NTTA opens its 1 millionth TollTag account
2010	NTTA presents $200 million to the Regional Transportation Council for the right to develop, operate and own State Highway 161, which is renamed President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension
2010	NTTA's Wrong-Way Driver Task Force receives the 2009 Project of the Year award from the International Association of Law Enforcement Planners
2010	NTTA completes its switch to a cashless toll system with the full conversion of the Dallas North Tollway, the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel and the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge
2011	President George Bush Turnpike extends east and south to I-30 in Garland
2011	NTTA issues its 2 millionth TollTag
2011	NTTA launches the limited-edition Dallas Cowboys TollTag
2011	NTTA opens the interchanges of the Sam Rayburn Tollway with U.S. 75 and, later, with the Dallas North Tollway
2011	NTTA begins construction on Chisholm Trail Parkway in Tarrant and Johnson Counties
2011	NTTA completes the financing of the President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension and Chisholm Trail Parkway, creating the Special Projects System
2012	NTTA Board of Directors passed a resolution affirming its intention for the NTTA to pursue 360 Tollway (formally SH 360) as a turnpike project.
2012	NTTA opened the Western Extension of the President George Bush Turnpike Western Extension.
2012	NTTA created an Employee Safety Committee to achieve and sustain a fully rounded safety culture.
2012	NTTA entered into partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation and various contractors associations to create the Cooperative Inclusion Plan (CIP) increase diversity in the heavy highway industry, address challenges and create opportunities.
2012	NTTA takes action on County Review Action Plan, completing more than 50 percent of recommended actions in four areas: Transparency, Procurement, Organization and Finance.
2013	NTTA launched the $20 Starter TollTag, the cost-saving option for motorists who drive the toll roads less frequently.
2013	Tollmate, the free mobile app from NTTA, debuted for Apple and Android devices.
2013	launched Safe-T Buzz, a site focused on driving safety.
2013	NTTA approved interoperability agreement with Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.
2013	Irving TollTag store opened to the public.
2013	NTTA achieved the highest level of diversity participation in its history.
2013	Senate Bill (SB) 1792 passed legislation authorizing new toll enforcement tools for habitual violators throughout Texas.
2013	NTTA completed all 82 recommendations of the County Review Action Plan in four areas: Transparency, Procurement, Organization and Finance.
2013	NTTA completes transition to cashless Electronic Toll Collection on all toll roads.
2014	NTTA opens Chisholm Trail Parkway in Tarrant and Johnson counties on May 11.
2014	NTTA opened a TollTag Store in Fort Worth. (May)
2014	The Texas Christian University (TCU) TollTag became available to the public. (May)
2014	Driving North Texas, a customer-focused blog, launches in June.
2014	NTTA begins live-streaming its monthly board meetings online. (June)
2014	NTTA debuts ZipCash monthly consolidated billing for pay-by-mail customers. (June)
2014	The TollTag celebrates its 25th anniversary as a feat of transportation technology. (July)
2014	NTTA and the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority announce interoperability between their systems, allowing TollTag customers to pay for toll road travel in Oklahoma. (August)
2014	NTTA honors transportation advocates Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson and former Chairman Paul N. Wageman with Drive to Excellence award. (August)
2014	NTTA offers the red-and-blue SMU TollTag to new and existing customers. (October)
2014	Texas Comptroller awards NTTA the “Platinum Circle” designation for financial transparency. (November)
2015	In response to the growing network of toll roads, NTTA debuts the Contiguous County Advisory Committee. (February)
2015	NTTA partners with MoneyGram to give customers more than 1,100 locations to pay ZipCash bills and open TollTag accounts. (April)
2015	Fourth lane additions and improvement work begins on Dallas North Tollway and President George Bush Turnpike. (May)
2015	NTTA launches the Red Thumb safety campaign against distracted driving by encouraging drivers to not text and drive. (May)
2015	The specialty Dallas Stars TollTag debuts to customers. (May)
2015	NTTA launches TollPerks, the TollTag customer rewards program. (September)
2015	Additional specialty TollTags arrive in TollTag stores – Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma University, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Texas Tech University, University of North Texas University. (October)
2016	NTTA debuts newly redesigned Safety Operations Center and Roadside Safety Service vehicles. (February)
2017	NTTA and the Kansas Turnpike Authority launch interoperability between their systems, enabling TollTag customers to receive a discount for toll road travel in Kansas. (June)
2018	360 Tollway between Camp Wisdom Road/Sublett Road in southern Tarrant County and U.S. 287 in northwestern Ellis County and northeastern Johnson County opened on May 11.
2018	NTTA wins additional (2) “Transparency Star” recognizing local governments for going above and beyond in their financial transparency efforts - from Texas Comptroller
2019	Gerry Carrigan retires as NTTA’s longest-serving Executive Director, James Hofmann named interim Executive Director (January)
2019	James Hofmann named NTTA Executive Director (March)
2019	Fourth lane and improvement work begins on Sam Rayburn Tollway (January)
2019	NTTA hosts first-ever “Pave the Way Day” community event (April)
2019	NTTA Chairman of the Board Kenneth Barr steps down – John Mahalik elected new Chairman (May)
2019	President George Bush Turnpike opens additional lane between the DNT and I-35E (August)
2019	President George Bush Turnpike construction of additional lane between I-35E and Belt Line Road begins (August)
2019	President George Bush Turnpike construction of additional lane between SH 183 and I-20 begins (November)
2020	Dallas North Tollway bridge over US 380 construction begins (February)
2020	NTTA wins 2020 International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association Toll Excellence Award for its strategic refinancing plan (September)
2020	Dallas North Tollway Denton County frontage road construction begins (November)
2021	NTTA launches new account management system (January)