21km of Bush pike open

21km (15mi) of the President George Bush Turnpike is now open in the northern portion of the Dallas area. The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 3km (2mi) segment between Campbell Road and TX-78 in Garland, May 19. Construction of the 2x2-lane roadway (expandable inwards to 2x5-lanes) cost $22m.

Tolls for cars using the Bush pike are 50c at the main lane plazas and 25c at intermediate entrance and exit ramp plazas. TollTag(R) transponders can be used to pay tolls automatically on the Bush pike, the Dallas North Tollway and the Addison Airport Toll Tunnel.

Other segments of the Bush pike are presently being planned or are under construction. The portion between Midway Road and I-35E is scheduled to open July 2001. The section from IH-635 to Belt Line Road in Irving is under construction with plans to open January 2002. The final segment of the PGBT between I-35E and IH-635 is planned to open summer 2004.

The Turnpike was initially planned by TxDOT as a free road, TX-190, but it was transferred to the then Texas Turnpike Authority (now NTTA) in 1995. NTTA toll projects are not part of the state highway system and receive no tax funding. (Contacts 972 991-0033 or www.ntta.org)