By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-823131.mp3
Dallas, TX – Businesses along LBJ Freeway in Dallas are applauding a $4-billion project for rebuilding and expanding the freeway later this year.
Yesterday the Texas Transportation Commission awarded Spanish developer Cintra the contract to rebuild 13 miles of the freeway between Interstates 35 and 30. Those lanes will remain free for drivers. Cintra will also build six new toll lanes below ground level.
North Dallas Chamber President Steve Taylor says 15 years of planning have lead up to this moment.
Taylor: The highway is 40 years old. It was opened in 1969. It is now at 50 percent above its design capacity and badly congested. Their projection is that in 20 years it will be over twice its design capacity. So this needs doing and needs doing badly.
Cost of the project is shared between Cintra and the state. Cintra will operate the roadway for 45 years.
Taylor says driving in the LBJ area will be disrupted during the five years of construction, but he believes transportation planners will be able to minimize traffic delays.