North Texas Tollway Authority

{{short description|Toll road operating company}} {{distinguish|North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority}} {{Use American English|date=April 2025}} {{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}} {{more citations needed|date=September 2007}} {{Infobox government agency | agency_name = North Texas Tollway Authority | type = authority | logo = Pub ntta logo.png | logo_width = 250px | logo_caption = Logo | seal = | seal_width = | seal_caption = | picture = | picture_width = | picture_caption = | formed = {{Start date|1997}} | preceding1 = Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) | jurisdiction = [[Collin County, Texas|Collin]], [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas]], [[Denton County, Texas|Denton]], [[Tarrant County, Texas|Tarrant]], and [[Johnson County, Texas|Johnson]] counties, Texas | headquarters = 5900 West Plano Parkway Suite 100, Plano, Texas<ref>{{cite web |title=North Texas Tollway Authority |url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-profiles.north_texas_tollway_authority.6b0b525f77ca373e48af0473a801adce.html |publisher=Dun & Bradstreet |access-date=May 31, 2023 |date=n.d.}}</ref> | coordinates =  | motto = | employees = | budget = | minister1_name = | minister1_pfo = | minister2_name = | minister2_pfo =  | deputyminister1_name = | deputyminister1_pfo = | deputyminister2_name = | deputyminister2_pfo =  | chief1_name = James Hofmann | chief1_position = CEO & Executive Director | chief2_name = | chief2_position =  | chief3_name = | chief3_position = | chief4_name = | chief4_position = | chief5_name = | chief5_position = | chief6_name = | agency_type = | chief6_position = | chief7_name = | chief7_position = | chief8_name = | chief8_position = | chief9_name = | chief9_position = | parent_department = | parent_agency = | child1_agency = | child2_agency =  | keydocument1 =  | website = {{URL|ntta.org}} | footnotes = | map = | map_width = | map_caption = }} The '''North Texas Tollway Authority''' ('''NTTA''') is a not-for-profit government organization<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-07-06 |title=VERIFY: Yes, money from NTTA tolls goes directly back into North Texas roads. Here's how |url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/verify/verify-yes-money-ntta-tolls-goes-directly-back-into-north-texas-roads-heres-how/287-ba5ad16e-8e2d-4ba4-a2d4-89e2802b101a |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=wfaa.com |language=en-US}}</ref> that maintains and operates [[toll road]]s, bridges, and tunnels in the [[North Texas]] area. Functioning as a political subdivision of the State of Texas under Chapter 366 of the Transportation Code, the NTTA is empowered to acquire, construct, maintain, repair and operate turnpike projects; to raise capital for construction projects through the issuance of turnpike revenue bonds; and to collect tolls to operate, maintain and pay debt service on those projects.<ref>{{Cite web |date=Mar 2023 |title=NTTA System Final Budget FY 2023 |url=https://www.ntta.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/FY2023%20Final%20System%20Budget%20GFOA.pdf |access-date=Dec 31, 2023 |website=NTTA}}</ref>

The NTTA is governed by a nine-member board of directors,<ref>{{Cite web|title=NTTA Home|url=https://www.ntta.org/Pages/default.aspx|website=www.ntta.org|access-date=2020-04-30}}</ref> two appointed by each of the four counties in its service area: Collin County, Dallas County, Denton County and Tarrant County as well as one appointed by the [[Texas Governor]]. North Texas Tollway Authority is a non-profit entity, and performs many of the same functions as the [[Texas Department of Transportation]], but is limited solely to facilities that it operates for revenue.

== Board of directors == There are nine members of the NTTA Board of Directors. Eight members are appointed by four counties, two per county. The ninth member is appointed by the governor. Of these members, one is elected to serve as board chairman, and another is elected to serve as vice chairman.

{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |+ Members as of 2020 ! scope = "col" | Board member ! scope = "col" | Position ! scope = "col" | Represented county |- ! scope = "row" | John Mahalik | Chairman | Denton County |- ! scope = "row" | Jane Willard | Vice Chairwoman | Collin County |- ! scope = "row" | Tim Carter | Director | Tarrant County |- ! scope = "row" | Lynn Gravley | Director | Governor's appointee |- ! scope = "row" | Mojy Haddad | Director | Tarrant County |- ! scope = "row" | Pete Kamp | Director | Denton County |- ! scope = "row" | Marcus Knight | Director | Dallas County |- ! scope = "row" | Scott Levine | Director | Collin County |- ! scope = "row" | George Quesada | Director | Dallas County |}

==Current roadways==

===Tollways=== *[[File:Toll_Texas_DNT_new.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Dallas North Tollway]] *[[File:Toll_Texas_PGBT_new.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[President George Bush Turnpike]] *[[File:Toll_Texas_SRT_new.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Sam Rayburn Tollway]] *[[File:Toll_Texas_CTP_new.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Chisholm Trail Parkway]] *[[File:Toll Texas 360 Tollway.svg|20px|alt=|link=]] [[Texas State Highway 360#360 Tollway|360 Tollway]]

===Bridges and tunnels=== *[[Addison Airport Toll Tunnel]] *[[Lewisville Lake Toll Bridge]] *[[Mountain Creek Lake Bridge]]

==Planned roadways or expansions== *[[Dallas North Tollway]]: northern extension to just north of the [[Grayson County, Texas|Grayson County]] line

==Former or cancelled roadways== *[[Dallas–Fort Worth Turnpike]] *[[Sam Houston Ship Channel Bridge|Jesse Jones Memorial Bridge]] *[[Trinity Parkway]]: cancelled in 2017

==History==

===Texas Turnpike Authority history=== [[File:DFW Turnpike Shield.svg|alt=Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike signage|thumb|160x160px|Original signage for Dallas-Fort Worth Turnpike]] The Texas Turnpike Authority (TTA) began construction on the state's first toll road, the [[Dallas–Fort Worth Turnpike]], in 1955 and opened the road in 1957. Original plans were for the bonds on the Turnpike to be retired in 1995; however, the bonds were retired in 1977 (17 years ahead of schedule) and tolls were then removed from the road, which the next year was officially designated as [[Interstate 30]] (I-30).

Construction began on NTTA's oldest existing toll road, the [[Dallas North Tollway]], in 1966, and its first segment (from I-35E to I-635) was opened in 1968. The Tollway (as it is popularly known) has (along with general Dallas-area growth) expanded continually northward, opening extensions in 1987, 1994, and most recently in 2007.

TTA started construction in 1977 on its first toll bridge, the {{convert|2.5|mi|km|1|adj=on}} [[Mountain Creek Lake Bridge]], which opened in 1979. The bridge spans [[Mountain Creek Lake]] in the southwestern [[Dallas County, Texas|Dallas County]] city of [[Grand Prairie, Texas|Grand Prairie]].

Construction was started on TTA's only project outside the area, the {{convert|2.0|mi|km|adj=on}} [[Sam Houston Ship Channel Bridge|Jesse Jones Memorial Bridge]] across the Houston Ship Channel, in 1979, with the bridge opening in 1982. TTA sold the bridge to the newly created [[Harris County Toll Road Authority]] in 1994, leaving all of TTA's assets in the area in which NTTA was later established.

=== NTTA establishment === The North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) was established in 1997 by Texas Senate Bill 370.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.legis.state.tx.us/tlodocs/75R/billtext/html/SB00370F.htm | title=75(R) SB 370 Enrolled version - Bill Text }}</ref> The legislation abolished the TTA, which was an independent state agency, and established the Texas Turnpike Authority division of the [[Texas Department of Transportation]]. The bill established the NTTA and made it the successor agency to TTA, assuming the prior agencies assets and liabilities. The bill authorized the establishment of other regional tollway authorities and established the laws by which they are governed.

==TollTag== {{redirect|TollTag|similarly named systems|List of electronic toll collection systems}} [[File:Tolltag logo.svg|thumb|TollTag logo|64x64px]] '''TollTag''' is the [[electronic toll collection]] system used by the NTTA in the Dallas / Fort Worth metro area. It was North America’s first electronic toll collection system when it was installed on the [[Dallas North Tollway]] in 1989. There are currently over 4 million TollTags in operation in the North Texas area. The NTTA offers reduced toll rates for TollTag users at all toll points.

TollTags can be used on all of the roadways of the NTTA, and they can also be used on any other toll road in the state of Texas as well as for some parking lots in downtown Dallas for parking or toll payment at the [[Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport]] (DFW), and at [[Dallas Love Field]] Airport (DAL). Current TollTags are small stickers, similar to those used for state inspections and auto registrations but cannot be moved between vehicles. The previous TollTag was a hard case tag which was affixed to the windshield using [[velcro]] tags; these tags have since been removed from service and replaced with the current version.

===Interoperability=== # 2003 - [[Texas Department of Transportation]] ([[TxTag]]), [[Harris County Toll Road Authority]] and [[Fort Bend County Toll Road Authority]] ([[EZ Tag]]). # August 10, 2014 - [[Oklahoma Turnpike Authority]] ([[Pike Pass]]). # May 17, 2017 - [[Kansas Turnpike Authority]] ([[K-TAG]]).<ref name="Ktag-Pikepass">{{cite news |last=Begley |first=Dug |date=June 19, 2016 |title=Local toll tags going national, eventually |url=http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/transportation/article/Local-toll-tags-going-national-eventually-8312205.php |newspaper=Houston Chronicle |access-date=September 23, 2016 }}</ref> # 2023 - Florida's [[SunPass]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ntta.org/plan-your-trip |title=Plan Your Trip | NTTA }}</ref><ref>{{Cite map|url=https://www.ntta.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Florida_Interoperability%20Map%2C%20January%202023.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230324060758/https://www.ntta.org/sites/default/files/2023-02/Florida_Interoperability%20Map%2C%20January%202023.pdf|archive-date=24 Mar 2023|title=Florida's Toll Roads Compatibility}}</ref> # June 2, 2024 - Colorado's [[E-470#Tolls|ExpressToll]]<ref>{{Cite web|last=Snyder|first=Rachel|date=June 4, 2024|title=Planning a summer road trip? Your North Texas Tollway Authority TollTag will now work on most toll roads in Colorado|url=https://www.wfaa.com/article/travel/planning-summer-road-trip-north-texas-tollway-authority-tolltag-will-work-on-most-toll-roads-in-colorado/287-4321756d-7a68-42e0-a3b6-76e51d4075d9|access-date=December 7, 2024|work=[[WFAA-TV]]|language=en-US}}</ref> # TBA - [[Transportation Corridor Agencies]] (via [[FasTrak]]) in Orange County, California<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 14, 2024|title=Transportation Corridor Agencies November 2024 Board Meeting Highlights|url=https://thetollroads.com/news/newsroom/press-releases/transportation-corridor-agencies-november-2024-board-meeting-highlights/|access-date=December 15, 2024|work=[[Transportation Corridor Agencies|The Toll Roads]]|language=en-US}}</ref> # TBA - [[E-ZPass]]

==Criticism== In August 2010, the NTTA faced criticism by replacing the only minority member of the board—making the nine-member board all white and all male.<ref>[https://www.dallasnews.com/news/2010/08/04/ntta-board-s-only-minority-member-replaced-by-white-man/ "NTTA board's only minority member replaced by white man"]</ref>

A multi-year audit released in October 2011 stated that the NTTA had inappropriate discussions with consultants while they were in the midst of bidding on lucrative Tollway contracts, as well as not having a firmly defined code of [[corporate ethics]].<ref>[https://www.keranews.org/texas-news/2011-10-19/audit-finds-ntta-practices-create-distrust "Audit Finds NTTA Practices Create Distrust"]</ref>

== The FBI raid of 2011 == Various DFW news outlets first started reporting that the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) had been raided by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials in late October 2011. NBC 5 DFW ([[KXAS-TV]]) first reported this story on October 22, 2011 that "FBI Questioned NTTA Officials".<ref>{{Cite web|date=October 22, 2011|title=FBI Questioned NTTA Officials: Report|url=https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/fbi-questioned-ntta-officials-report/2121890/|website=NBC DFW}}</ref> Four years after that article was published, January 13, 2015, the NTTA finally released a nine-page PDF document entitled 'NTTA RUMORS Q&A'<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 13, 2015|title=NTTA RUMORS Q&A|url=https://www.ntta.org/newsresources/medcent/Documents/Rumors_List_Answered.pdf|website=North Texas Tollway Authority}}</ref> where the authority explained what exactly happened. According to the published memo:

''"Beginning in October 2011, the [[Federal Bureau of Investigation]] (the "FBI") interviewed several officials of the Authority regarding any knowledge the officials may have concerning the conduct of certain current and former Board members, including possible conflicts of interests pertaining to Authority business. The Authority has no reason to believe that it is the target of the investigation or that the investigation will materially adversely affect the operations or financial condition of the Authority or the transactions contemplated by the Resolution, the Trust Agreement and this Official Statement, or would adversely affect the validity or enforceability of the Resolution, the Trust Agreement or the Series 2014 Bonds. The investigation is ongoing and the Authority is cooperating fully with the FBI. There can be no assurance that the investigation will be limited to the matters described above or that the Authority will not become a target at a later date."''

Following this memo, neither any current or former board members were charged and the result, and or findings, of the FBI 'raid' are still currently unknown.

== See also == * [[EZ TAG]] * [[E-ZPass]] used in 14 states, mostly in the East and Midwest, as well as in Ontario * [[Fastrak]] used in California * [[GeauxPass]] used in Louisiana * [[I-Pass]] used in Illinois * [[K-TAG|K-Tag]] used in Kansas * [[NationalPass]] provides interoperability with [[TransCore]] systems outside of [[Texas]] * [[Peach Pass]] used in Georgia * [[Pikepass]] used in Oklahoma * [[Sunpass]] used in Florida * [[TxTag]] * [[Texas tollways]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== *[http://www.ntta.org North Texas Tollway Authority]

[[Category:Toll road authorities of the United States]] [[Category:Transportation in Dallas]] [[Category:Toll roads in Texas]]