The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) is converting its system of toll roads, bridges and tunnels to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) facilities. The conversion is designed to provide customers with improved traffic flow, improved air quality, reduced travel times and enhanced safety.

When Does It Happen?

Construction and demolition activities to convert the NTTA’a three remaining roads to all-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) are scheduled to get underway, beginning with the Dallas North Tollway (DNT) in late May/early June.

The conversion, which will also occur on the Mountain Creek Lake Bridge (MCLB) in the third quarter of 2010 and the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel (AATT) in the fourth quarter of 2010, will take 12-14 months with varying levels of construction activity and will be complete in 2011. When possible, lane closures will be limited to non-peak hours to minimize inconvenience to the traveling public.

Due to its length and constrained right of way, construction related to the conversion of the DNT will be segmented into four parts. The Keller Springs and Parker Road main lane gantries and the ramp plazas between Interstate Highway 635 and the President George Bush Turnpike will be the first to undergo construction activities. Construction on the ramp plazas between Mockingbird Lane and I-635 and all main lane and ramp gantries between the Sam Rayburn Tollway and U.S. 380 will begin later this year. All-ETC will commence in the fourth quarter, and all roadway construction activities will be complete by the first quarter of 2011. Additional construction will take place during the first half of 2011 to complete the demolition of the old plaza structures.

Why Does It Happen?

All-electronic toll collection (all-ETC) is quickly rising in popularity across the country because of its many benefits to the toll road customer: time savings, convenience, increased safety, improved air quality, and fuel efficiency.

Time Savings and Convenience

The switch to all-ETC will streamline all traffic onto express lanes with no stopping to pay tolls or weaving in and out of traffic. All motorists – regardless of payment type – will drive on the same lanes.

TollTag customers will not notice a difference.Their transactions will be tracked on their accounts, and they will continue to receive the lowest rates on NTTA roads.

ZipCash customers (customers without TollTag accounts) will be able to drive now and pay later. ZipCash customers will be billed for their transactions in the mail at the higher ZipCash rate.

Safety

Motorists’ ability to drive in any lane will eliminate weaving around toll booths. Weaving is one of the main contributors to congestion on all roads. By eliminating the weaving around traditional cash booths, all motorists on NTTA roads will experience improved mobility, enhanced safety and extended fuel efficiency.

Air Quality and Fuel Efficiency

Constant starting and stopping of vehicles adds to air pollution. Transitioning to all-ETC will eliminate the stopping, starting and idling associated with cash toll lanes. By promoting a continuous flow of traffic at consistent speeds, the NTTA promotes air quality in the region.

Click here for full project schedule.