Frequently Asked Questions

From 2011 to late 2015, the 17-mile LBJ Express project will incorporate dramatic improvements to Interstate 635 and Interstate 35E in Dallas County. This innovative project will feature rebuilt main lanes, a frontage road system now continuous, and 13 miles of express managed toll lanes. Drivers will have the choice of driving on the same number of main general purposes lanes or opting for new express managed toll lanes. Motorists who choose to use express managed toll lanes can expect a reliable, predictable trip through this frequently congested corridor.
 

With financial close achieved in June 2010, design took place during the balance of 2010 with the final phases closing in the early part of 2011. Construction began in the spring of 2011 and conclude by late 2015. (By comparison, the current Central Expressway project took 10 years to complete.)

Construction of the LBJ Express is broken into three segments. While construction will take place concurrently on the entire span of the project, certain segments will be completed before others. The first segment of the LBJ Express, along I-35E, has an anticipated completion date of 2014.

The LBJ Infrastructure Group expects to complete the fully redesigned roadway by late 2015, providing drivers with the same number of free general purpose lanes they enjoy today, as well up to six new managed express toll lanes and frontage roads. Our commitment throughout construction is to minimize disruptions to residents and businesses along the LBJ corridor and keep traffic moving.

 

While there are no written incentives in the contract to finish construction early, generating revenue is a powerful motivation to finish the project on time, in order to mitigate any contractual penalties that exist for late delivery.

According to the Texas Association of Business, "A 2004 report by the United States Federal Highway Administration, as well as 2007 study by the University of Melbourne, cited the success of public-private partnership projects, noting that they are completed on or ahead of schedule nearly 90 percent of the time. The remaining 10 percent were completed within three months of the scheduled delivery date." Overall, public-private partnerships save between five months and three and one-half years in construction time.

(Texas Association of Business; "P3 Roadways: Public-Private Partnerships that Work;" page 7)

 

Along the most congested parts of I-635, there will be three new express managed lanes in each direction. For the balance and along I-35E, there will be two new express managed lanes in each direction.

In addition, the project will include a continuous frontage road in both directions of I-635, simplifying access to businesses along the roadway.

 

The LBJ Express team is committed to maintaining a minimum of four lanes open in each direction during the peak traffic periods.

To guarantee the safety of the public, we have carefully and thoughtfully developed a construction staging and traffic management design to provide for safe and speedy flow of traffic through the project area.

Our traffic control plans also incorporate traffic control devices to route traffic safely and at a controlled speed near or around construction areas. This will keep drivers safe and reduce the impact of traffic on residents and businesses located near the project area.

 

The LBJ Express Project will completely rebuild the frontage roads and general purpose lanes to current federal and state highway standards, with wider lanes and shoulders on each side.

In addition, the project will add express managed toll lanes, which will be separate from the free general purpose lanes and utilize their own entrance and exit ramps. Signage will provide drivers with advance notice of the pricing for the managed toll lanes as they enter into each of the tolling segments.
 

A toll road charges a fixed price that remains constant at all times of the day. A toll road does not guarantee predictable travel times or keeping traffic moving.

On managed lanes, tolls will adjust based upon the average speed or number of drivers who want to use the express lanes. During non-peak driving times, the average tolls will be less than during rush hour. The dynamic pricing ensures those drivers a predictable, higher-speed commute.

In essence, a managed lane system will give drivers the option to pay a toll in order to ensure they arrive at their destination on time.

 

During the first six months following completion of the construction phase, tolls on LBJ Express will be fixed, no matter what the time of day or driver demand. After that six month evaluation period, new, tolling policies will be implemented in which the toll will change based on a number of factors; including congestion levels in each lane and/or the time of day. In the event that the average speed on the express managed lanes drops below 50 mph, the toll rate will rise in order to maintain an average 50 mph trip in each segment of the corridor.

When the project opens to traffic, tolls are estimated to range from 15 cents per mile during low traffic volumes, to 55 cents per mile during peak or rush hour times. (Courtesy Texas Department of Transportation)

Tolls will be charged at different rates, depending on:
-Traffic conditions as they change during the day (higher toll rate during higher congestion to maintain 50 mph traffic speed)
-Type of vehicle (3-axle vehicles pay more than 2-axle vehicles)
-Number of passengers in the vehicle. Under the current policy two or more passengers are considered HOV and pay half price during peak travel periods. Traffic lanes will be marked for HOV use. Enforcement officers will monitor HOV usage. HOV users must have a windshield transponder (TxTAG, TollTag or EZPass) to receive the HOV discount.

 

The Base Toll Rate Cap is $.75 per mile per toll segment per direction. This is adjusted each year by a percentage equal to the Consumer Price Index of the previous year. For the first 180 days of tolling, the toll rate cannot exceed $.75 per mile traveled regardless of traffic conditions except with TxDOT’s permission. After 180 days, the dynamic tolling program will be implemented and tolls are raised or lowered according to traffic demands.
 

Segment 1 - IH35 from Loop 12 to IH635
Segment 1a - IH35 (North of IH635)
Segment 2 - IH635 from Luna Road to the Dallas North Tollway
Segment 3 - IH635 from Dallas North Tollway to US 75

 

No. Tolling policies are set by the Regional Transportation Council, (RTC) standing committee of the North Central Texas Council of Governments. The managed lanes policy currently in use by the RTC can be viewed here: North Texas Council Managed Lanes Policy

Toll rates vary and are unique to the region where the roadway exists, but they are always capped by state and federal authorities. Clearly defined tolling regulation and toll setting is imperative given the importance of revenue and traffic forecasting to the development of toll projects. (Texas Association of Business; "P3 Roadways; Public-Private Partnerships that Work")

LBJIG is required to increase the price of the tolls every fifteen minutes when traffic reaches a maximum car-per-lane threshold or the speed drops below 50 miles per hour. LBJIG is charged a penalty under its Comprehensive Development Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for not meeting that performance requirement. Those penalties increase as the speed continues to drop lower.

As a private company, LBJIG has an interest in providing managed toll lanes that drivers want to use at a price drivers are willing to pay for the convenience of getting to their destination without the worry of heavy congestion.

 

No. Drivers may choose between the free main lanes or the express managed lanes. At its widest point, the highway will include 4 main lanes in each direction, 2-3 continuous frontage road lanes in each direction, plus 3 tolled managed lanes in each direction. Drivers will enjoy the same number of free main lanes they currently use on LBJ, but with the benefit of lighter traffic as other drivers opt for the express managed lanes.

 

HOV users will enter the express toll lanes through a "declaration lane" which will register their vehicle at a discount.
 

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) receives its funding from taxpayers, through taxes on gasoline and bond money that leverages those gas tax dollars. Over the past few years, gas tax revenue has decreased due to improved fuel efficiency in automobiles and motorists driving less frequently for a variety of reasons. The gas tax rate per gallon has not increased for nearly 20 years and does not fluctuate with the unpredictable price of gas.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) Regional Transportation Council (RTC) determines the prioritization and funding of projects in North Texas. In our growing North Texas region, transportation needs are significantly greater than the available gas-tax dollars. Simply put, the only source of revenue in Texas to pay for transportation projects has decreased, while the population and need for improved roadways have increased.

In response, RTC developed the region's managed toll lane policy. The region expects LBJIG to maintain a reliable level of service for motorists at 50 mph. Because fewer cars on the roadway improves mobility throughout the project corridor, the region also has developed a discount for mass transit and peak period car-poolers as an incentive.

Even with the addition of the new express managed toll lanes, drivers will continue to have the choice to drive on the same number of free general purpose lanes that they enjoy today.

 

Currently, the TxDOT Dallas Division has budgeted $171 million for new construction and maintenance in FY2010-11. The total cost of the project, including maintenance and operations is $2.7 billion with a construction cost estimated at $2.1 billion. The LBJ Express will take 5 years to complete and, without private developers, would exceed the total amount budgeted for the 5 county, Dallas Area Office's total transportation needs.

When the LBJ Freeway opened in 1969 it was designed to hold about 180,000 vehicles per day. Current traffic counts put that number at 270,000 vehicles per day. Based on today's traffic count, by 2020 demand will increase to 500,000 vehicles per day traveling this road. Without private funding, given the size and scope of this project, this project would be delayed for years or possibly never be built.

 

The LBJ Infrastructure Group believes concern for the environment is not only an important business practice but fundamental to being a responsible corporate citizen. The LBJ Express project will integrate environmental protection into the development of all project activities, as well as ensure prudent use of material and energy resources, waste management, and compliance with all environmental regulations. LBJIG has created a Comprehensive Environmental Protection Program establishing the approach, requirements and processes for protecting the environment during design, construction, operations and maintenance activities.

For more information about how the environmental requirements and processes, please visit: FONSI Assessment

 

An Atmos natural gas line relocation has been completed at the location of 2925, 2949 and 2995 LBJ Freeway. The gas line easement now lies near where those buildings were located. Please check with Atmos as to the availability of the land within the easement.

All land on the north side of LBJ generally between Josey and Webb Chapel was purchased as a single parcel.
TxDOT's right-of-way division in Austin is handling the disposition of the surplus property, including the remaining buildings.

Please contact TxDOT's right-of-way division in Austin at 512-531-5900 or 512-531-5904 for further information.


 

Trees are an important part of the landscape here in North Texas, including the trees and shrubs that the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) planted along the I-635 right-of-way years ago.

Unfortunately, some of those trees and shrubs are in the direct path of the new roadway and must be removed in order to move utilities, build sound wall, enhance access roads, and expand I-635 and I-35E to relieve traffic congestion.

TXDOT and the LBJ Express team are committed to preserving as many trees as possible during construction. Only trees and brush in the state-owned right-of-way will be removed, and any property owners whose trees or brush hang into the right-of-way will be notified in advance should their plants require trimming by LBJ Express team members.

All tree removal will occur in a narrow time frame at the very beginning of the project (mid-January to late-February 2011) to minimize disruptions to migratory birds that nest in North Texas in the spring and summer months.

For those trees that must be removed, the mitigation process is twofold:

• TXDOT is working with the City of Dallas to ensure an equal number of new trees are planted to offset the ones being removed.
• Incorporate native trees and plants in the landscaping plan for the LBJ Express project.

Removed trees will be turned into mulch and donated to Living Earth which, in turn, has agreed to donate the mulch to organizations and entities in North Texas.

To learn more about the tree mitigation program, see
pages 38-40 of the Environmental Assessment. To review the full Environmental Assessment, please click here.

 

Unlike current conditions in some sections of the project, certain sections will receive sound walls based upon extensive noise pollution tests in accordance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ). During the construction phase, the sound walls will be built in the initial stages to mitigate noise for residents located along the corridor.

Noise walls are designed to attenuate noise of vehicles traveling on LBJ. They are not designed to attenuate the noise decibels associated with jackhammers, backup beepers, bridge demolition, utility trenching, etc.
 

LBJIG is committed to minimizing disruption for drivers, businesses and neighbors along the LBJ corridor. We will use all available means to keep traffic moving safely during construction and to notify the public of any traffic pattern changes or expected delays. Electronic signs will be placed along the highways to inform drivers of closed ramps and lanes, detours, or traffic switches.

Additionally, City Engineers from both the City of Dallas and the City of Farmers Branch will be co-located with LBJ Infrastructure Group and its general contractor to ensure that the cities are able to readily coordinate on traffic flows and patterns.

Furthermore, we will provide drivers with the following communication tools to inform them about traffic changes or problems:
- Subscribtion to alerts and e-Updates
- Social media such as: Facebook and Twitter
- An information hot-line at (877) 525-3979
- A representative from LBJIG can be scheduled to speak with your neighborhood association or community group. Call (877) 525-3979.
- Information Storefront, located at 4100 McEwen Road # 151; Dallas, Texas 75244 (near the intersection of Midway and LBJ) in Dallas. The storefront is currently open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

 

The LBJ Express improvements will be designed, financed, built, operated and maintained by the LBJ Infrastructure Group (LBJIG), which was selected by the Texas Transportation Commission (TTC) after a rigorous, competitive public bidding process. LBJIG is led by Cintra US, a Texas-based world leader in the private-sector development of transportation infrastructure, Meridiam Infrastructure, a global public-private partnership investor and developer of public facilities, and the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System.
 

In partnership with local communities and the State, the LBJ Infrastructure Group is committed to developing and operating the safest, most advanced and reliable roadway for North Texas drivers. LBJ Infrastructure Group and its consultants already employ more than 2,000 Texans and have a long-term commitment to the State of Texas. The LBJIG project will integrate more than 100 additional Dallas-Fort Worth and Texas companies and their employees in a variety of capacities. Our goal is to work constructively with all participants as our neighbors, friends and associates.
 

The LBJ Infrastructure Group will provide roughly two-thirds of the total financing for the project, or approximately $2.21 billion of the total $2.7 billion needed for total project. The LBJ Express is anticipated to cost $800 million to operate and maintain during the course of its 52- year lease to LBJ Infrastructure Group under the Comprehensive Development Agreement with the State. Such operation and maintenance costs will be the sole responsibility of the LBJ Infrastructure Group. The innovative public-private partnership enables taxpayers to leverage $490 million in public funds to receive more than four times the value in infrastructure enhancements and traffic relief.
 

Current state transportation funding cannot keep pace with the escalating demand for new and improved roadways in the rapidly growing North Texas region. The Texas Transportation Institute ranks the Dallas/Fort Worth area as the fourth most congested among large urban areas in the U.S., causing local drivers to burn 106 billion gallons of extra fuel per year and waste countless hours delayed in traffic. Given the State's limited financial resources for infrastructure and the many projects that must compete for those resources, Texas currently is unable to provide fast-track development of much-needed roadway projects that would relieve congestion, improve safety and air quality, while accommodating further anticipated growth.

The LBJ Infrastructure Group provides new sources of funding for the LBJ Express project, generating jobs and investment in the State of Texas. The public-private funding arrangement for the project combines public funds, federally backed loans, private activity bonds, bank debt and private sector equity to make this long discussed project a reality.

The vision for the LBJ Express project is to deliver a new viable transportation network as quickly as possible to help relieve traffic congestion and improve safety and air quality.

 

A comprehensive development agreement (CDA) is a legal agreement between a government agency such as TxDOT and a private developer to build much-needed infrastructure with limited tax dollars. Private investors help pay for the needed roadway improvements in return for long-term agreements to collect tolls or receive payments, and the state retains ownership of the land and improvements. Other CDA projects in North Texas involve public/private partnerships to accelerate construction through the use of private financing. These projects include the $2.1 billion North Tarrant Expressway and the $1.02 billion DFW Connector in Tarrant County. Each of these projects will utilize tolled managed lanes in addition to the non-tolled main lanes.

Click the Questions below to reveal the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions. If you have other questions you would like addressed, please click here.

 

Submit your comment or question through the LBJ Express Web site: CLICK HERE.

Comments can also be submitted at any time during the project, either in person, by phone, US mail, e-mail, delivery or fax to:

LBJ Infrastructure Group, LLC
4100 McEwen Road # 151
Dallas, TX 75244
Phone: (214) 960-5711
Toll-free: (877) LBJ-EXPY (525-3979)
Fax: (972) 239-3512
info@lbjexpress.com

 

Throughout the entire duration of the Comprehensive Development Agreement with LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC, TxDOT will have full ownership of the project. Under the CDA, LBJ Infrastructure Group has the right to lease the project for 52 years, not unlike many leases by public entities to private companies.
 

For the full 52 years, the Texas Department of Transportation (TXDOT) will provide oversight of the project along with an independent engineer paid for by both TxDOT and LBJIG to audit every aspect of the project.

TxDOT and the independent engineer will ensure all aspects of the project are sound. This includes:
- Ensuring that the Developer is keeping traffic following through the project (special attention will be paid during peak travel times)
- Monitoring toll increases to ensure that the developer is assessed the appropriate penalties if the lane speeds drop below 50 mph, thereby ensuring that the developer is using the price-based-on-congestion tolling program and providing reporting real-time for audit purposes.

 

Of the many added benefits of a private company operating and maintaining the LBJ Express is the incentive for that company to provide a road that driver really want to use. LBJIG will do its best to ensure maintenance of the project in accordance with the highest standards.

Contractually, maintenance on the road is required at standards higher than current TxDOT standards. LBJ Express developer LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC also has an incentive to maintain this road so that driver have an enjoyable driving experience.

In addition to that, LBJIG is also required to hand back the LBJ Express to the state of Texas in a pre-defined state of good repair. This means that the highway will be returned to the state in fully operational and valuable condition. (Texas Association of Business; "P3 Roadways; Public-Private Partnerships that Work")


 

According to the Regional Transportation Council 2030 Mobility Plan (Link: Click Here), the eventual demand for this portion of LBJ is 500,000 vehicles per day by 2020. There is no way the facility can be built to handle this demand. Even upon completion, the roadway would be outdated; however, in order to account for this massive increase in capacity, traffic must be managed by developing programs controlling the speeds of drivers through the corridor. Thus the reason it is necessary to have managed toll lanes to keep traffic moving through the corridor.
 

No. Hazmat trucks must use the general purpose lanes and frontage lanes only.
 

DART and TxDOT agreed to leave access points available for DART to build a future rail tunnel under the LBJ Express. DART and North Central Texas Council of Governments studies have determined that the projected number of riders do not justify a line in the corridor for the next 20 years.

DART Expansion Maps - [link to:click here].


 

The LBJ Express Project does not sell our information to ANY LIST. Nor do we implement advertising in any of our online products and are expressly prohibited from doing so by the state.

LBJ Infrastructure Group LLC or Trinity Infrastructure LLC will not allow advertising (especially political advertising in our online tools).

If you receive e-updates from us that include unsolicited advertisements, they could be add ons from your internet provider or another party.
 

The LBJ Express will feature a shared bike/car lane incorporated into the far right through-lane on each cross street along the I-635 portion of this project. These lanes will be 14 feet wide and constructed in accordance with Federal Highway Administration policies [link to:click here.].


 

During the reconstruction of this corridor, it may be necessary to close trail access under I-635 to accommodate the construction and to ensure we take into account the safety of those who regularly enjoy the trail. We will make every effort possible to keep that access point open, but ask for your patience if we need to make closures. We will provide regular updates to our website and ensure the media and public are well informed before making that decision.

The White Rock Creek Trail will remain a part of the Dallas Bike Route System. Click here for more information on the Dallas Bike Route System.


 

Each transportation project is wholly independent from the other. The financial condition of one project has absolutely no bearing on the financial success and delivery of another. Each project has its own unique developer, contractor, shareholders/investors and stakeholders and is subject to the economic environment in which it is operating.
 

Absolutely not. The funds for LBJ construction were secured and committed upfront, prior to construction commencing, according to strict terms by the project’s lenders. The project is fully funded, underway and on track for completion in 2015.
 

There are numerous safeguards built into the partnering agreements that eliminate risk to Texas and ensure that the state, taxpayers and local communities will always be protected as they continue to benefit from the creation of new roadways.
 

Default through the operation phase of a transportation project is an extremely remote possibility. In the event that facility users do not utilize the highway at the expected levels over an extended period of time, there is some financial risk. However, due to our extensive modeling of projected regional growth and traffic patterns on the LBJ, we have a strong, financially viable project. Further, even if revenues throughout the 52-year project term were 50 percent below forecasts, the debt would still be repaid and there would be no default.