Loop 820 Widening/North Tarrant Express

• The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has named this 36-mile project the North Tarrant Express. The project, estimated at $2 billion, will reconstruct and add lanes on I-35W, Loop 820 and SH 121/183, including express toll-managed lanes.
  
  
• The North Tarrant Express is needed to accommodate the increasing transportation demand in our region. In addition, the development of this project will greatly reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality and increase the value of the region's transportation assets.
  
  
• On January 29, 2009 TxDOT conditionally approved a proposal by NTE Mobility Partners to plan, finance, design, construct, operate and maintain Phase 1 of the North Tarrant Express Project, which includes 13 miles of Northeast Loop 820 and State Highway 121/183 from Interstate 35W to the State Highway 121 split. In addition, NTE Mobility Partners will provide financial and construction plans to improve the rest of the corridor.
  
  
• Under this agreement, NTE Mobility Partners will rebuild the existing Northeast Loop 820 and 121/183 highways, add two toll-managed "express" lanes in each direction, improve frontage roads and add auxiliary lanes along the corridor. Managed land ramps from north and southbound 35W to Loop 820 will also be added to provide mobility improvements to that interchange's bottleneck. Construction is expected to begin in 2010 and be completed by 2015.
  
  
• A project map and additional information is available on the TxDOT web site. Questions regarding right of way and land acquisition should be directed to the Texas Department of Transportation.
  
  
• A coalition of concerned citizens, business and land owners, developers and local and state officials are working together to keep the North Tarrant Express project moving forward. This group is known as the 35W Coalition. For more information please visit www.35wcoalition.com

Loop 820 Corridor Plan

• The City of North Richland Hills anticipates that the widening of Loop 820 will have a wide range of impacts on our community. Some properties may change uses if land is acquired by the state, and traffic patterns on local streets are also likely to change or be altered due to the new location of on ramps and off ramps. To prepare for these changes, the city hired Kimley-Horn Associates and Townscape Inc. to develop a Loop 820 Corridor Plan
  
  
• The plan encompasses property adjacent to NE Loop 820 just west of Iron Horse Boulevard to just east of the interchange where Interstate NE Loop 820, Highway 183, and Boulevard 26 meet. The Loop 820 Corridor Plan was formally adopted by the City Council on July 25, 2005. It suggests some changes to the City's current land use plan, including an increasing in office space and mixed use development along the corridor. The development of a future regional rail station and more hike and bike routes are also identified in the plan. In addition, the plan identifies ways in which the City and property owners can work with the Texas Department of Transportation to improve traffic flow and access to properties.
  
  
• The Loop 820 Corridor Plan will serve as a guide for future development and will ensure Loop 820 remains a vital business, entertainment and civic area bustling with activity and investment. To help spur development and redevelopment and to make NRH a unique destination, the plan proposes dividing the Loop 820 corridor into four districts: the Iron Horse District, the Civic District, the Crossroads District and the Designer District. Elements of each district may include way-finding signs, lighting, landscaping, buffering, crosswalk, banners and other decorative accents. The districts will distinguish North Richland Hills from other adjacent municipalities that share the corridor and will direct travelers to important civic and business destinations in our community.
  
  
• The development of this plan included significant input from City staff, property owners along the corridor and other North Richland Hills residents. Consultants and staff had discussion with more than 1,000 individuals regarding this project. Numerous stakeholder meetings, public workshops and public focus group meetings were held during the study and planning process. The City of North Richland Hills thanks the many people who were involved in this process.
  
  
• It will take many years for the City to complete the recommendations made in the Loop 820 Corridor Plan. The City will involve the public and keep residents updated throughout the process. The North Richland Hills Planning & Zoning Commission will work out details for implementing specific land use changes, and will also set standards for screening and buffering of neighborhoods. There will be opportunity for more public input as these details are developed. There will be public meetings before the Planning & Zoning Commission, with final recommendations being forward to the City Council.
  
  
• Questions or concerns about the future of the Loop 820 Corridor should be directed to Craig Hulse, Economic Development Director at 817-427-6091.