NE Texas RMA moving ahead on Loop 49 extension

NE Texas RMA, the toll authority in the Tyler area says it's now proceeding with Segment 5 of its Toll 49 road, previously known as Loop 49. This will extend the tollroad east another 4km (2.5 miles) from its present terminus at FM756 to TX110. The extension for which design work is complete is estimated to cost $20m.

Toll 49 is full expressway standard in that it is grade separated and access controlled, bit for now it is just one 2-lane roadway. The road is designed for addition of a second 2-lane roadway to make it a conventional expressway when traffic warrants. Eventually it is intended to be a U-plan, with I-20 forming a belt route around the Tyler area.

Segments 1 and 2 totaling 11km (7 miles) are currently in operation having opened in Aug 2006 and Jan 2008.

The new segment 5 will have one intermediate interchange.

Toll collection is all-electronic - a combination of TxTag sticker tags and video tolling. Raytheon is the systems integrator, Jacobs the project manager.

Traffic was reported at around 9k transactions/day in June. 10.1k sticker tags were in use.

The project benefits from state supported bonds called Proposition 14 bonds. Their issue was approved at a recent meeting of the Texas Transportation Commission. Proposition 14 bonds dating back to 2004 allow borrowing by public agencies for up to two years to alleviate short-term funds shortages.

The freeze-up in financial markets had earlier caused this project to be put on hold for independent financing.

BACKGROUND: NETRMA established in 2004 is a joint powers agency of 12 counties in northeast Texas - Bowie, Cass, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Wood, and Van Zandt. The Tyler area has 200k population.

The agency has a heap of projects it wants to advance as well as completing Toll 49. (see list of NETRMA projects nearby).

http://www.netrma.org

TOLLROADSnews 2008-11-06