The AECOM-designed North Tarrant Express (NTE) reconstruction project in Texas, United States, has been recognized as one of the top 10 finalists in the 2015 America’s Transportation Awards, a competition which honors the greatest transportation projects accomplished each year by state Departments of Transportation (DOTs).

The America’s Transportation Awards recognizes finalists in three categories: Under Budget, Best Use of Innovation and Quality of Life/Community Development.  This year, 48 projects from 24 states were submitted, producing 10 finalists that received the highest scores in four regional competitions.  From building bridges, paths and highways to easing congestion and improving safety and metropolitan mobility through transit, the America’s Transportation Awards recognizes projects that instill an appreciation of transportation as an important element of quality of life.

The Texas DOT commissioned the US$2.1-billion NTE, which rebuilt and expanded 13.3 miles of the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area’s most congested highways, improving conditions for motorists and freight traffic by building additional lanes and toll booths.  The highway now relieves traffic congestion in one of the country’s fastest-developing cities, while improving safety and anticipating growth.

AECOM was selected to lead the design of the NTE’s west segment, which comprised 6.5 miles along I-820 between I-35W and State Highway 121.  The AECOM team provided engineering design, planning and advisory services, and also performed extensive optimization studies in all disciplines in the first several months, saving considerably on construction and scheduling while meeting project criteria and standards.  The NTE, a public-private partnership between Texas DOT and developers, saved taxpayer money with construction, while also saving an estimated US$12.4 million annually in maintenance costs covered by toll lanes.

Construction of the NTE’s north segment is planned for completion in 2017, and construction on the south segment has begun and is slated for completion in 2018.