Crews will need to reconstruct a bridge at Tennyson Parkway to accommodate the soon to be expanded DNT main lanes that run below it. Located just south of The Shops at Legacy, the bridge will remain open to traffic throughout the reconstruction.

Beginning July 21, crews will begin work on the bridge to shift traffic to the lanes on the south side of the bridge to accommodate the construction work. As traffic is shifted onto the southern portion of the bridge, there will be a total of four traffic lanes, instead of the current six lanes. Later this summer, crews will demolish the north half of the bridge to start the reconstruction.

As crews determine exact traffic shifts and closures, this information will be released on the NTTA's project website, ProgressNTTA.org. All lane closure and traffic-related news can be found at Scheduled Lane Closures at NTTA.org. You can also follow NTTA on Facebook and Twitter for more information.

Did you know that in 2014 there were 19,393 crashes in roadway construction and maintenance zones in Texas, resulting in 146 fatalities? In fact, the number of work zone fatalities increased in 2014 compared to the prior year. Moreover, the majority of those deaths involved drivers and/or vehicle occupants, not highway workers.

To keep everyone safe, the speed limit for DNT, from PGBT to Sam Rayburn Tollway, is reduced to 60 mph. The new speed limit will be enforced seven days a week, 24 hours a day. The lowered, enforced speed limit is to help ensure safety for both drivers and workers for the duration of construction work that includes building an additional travel lane in each direction of the DNT from the SRT to PGBT. Crews have already set concrete barriers, are restriping lanes to create work zones and have placed work zone signage along the main lanes.

Construction is also taking place on PGBT. While the speed limit remains the same, it is important to note that trucks will be entering and exiting construction zones from the left shoulders, and drivers should be mindful of these vehicles on the PGBT between Coit Road and DNT.

Please slow down and keep an eye out for the changing conditions, your safety and wellbeing is important to us.

Here are some helpful tips during construction:

●    Slow Down

●    Pay Attention

●    Be Patient

●    Plan Ahead

NTTA hosted the first of many Business Information Group meetings for improvement projects currently under construction on DNT and PGBT. The B.I.G.s are designed to keep business owners and managers current with progress on construction activity in the area.

Attendees gathered on June 23 to hear from the project engineers on the PGBT and DNT/PGBT interchange area. A second group from the Legacy Drive area met on June 24 to discuss improvements on the Tollway. In addition to learning about the projects, NTTA is distributing a business resource kit to help companies inform patrons and suppliers about the improvements in the area.

The next round of B.I.G. meetings will occur in late September.

If you would like information about the next B.I.G., please visit ProgressNTTA.org. Also, NTTA is distributing a business resource kit to help companies inform patrons and suppliers about the improvement projects in the area. This kit includes a letter, postcard template and an FAQ. For additional information on the B.I.G.s, obtaining a business resource kit or project updates, contact us at progressntta@NTTA.org or at (972) 628-3134.

NTTA has several ways to keep you informed. It is important for us to be able to tell you about progress on projects and how it could affect you. Communication goes both ways, and we want you to ask questions and give us feedback. We love hearing about what can be improved and what you like about your travels on our roadways. Feel free to like us, tweet us, or email us. We even take phone calls.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter, or contact us at ProgressNTTA@NTTA.org or (972) 628-3134.

Here are some of the ways we communicate. Pick what's right for you, and we hope to hear from you soon.

Progress Report 

Each month, NTTA creates Corridor Progress Reports for projects under construction or future projects. The latest Corridor Progress Reports can be found under each project. Subscribe to receive the reports right to your inbox.

E-Newsletters

The Progress NTTA Update is an e-newsletter that provides the latest news about project updates and future construction for DNT, PGBT, and SRT. By subscribing to the update, you also will receive the monthly Corridor Progress Report for these projects. Subscribe now or read past issues.

Invite us to your next event!
The NTTA team can meet with your civic club, homeowners associations, tenants or company staff members. We can offer a brief presentation, answer your questions and provide handouts that you may share with others. Contact us at speakersbureau@ntta.org.

Business Information Group meetings
Business Information Group meetings are designed to keep business owners and managers current with progress on the PGBT Fourth Lane Project and DNT Improvement Projects. NTTA personnel and consultants, and sometimes representatives from our partners, provide brief presentations about the projects during the sessions.

Interested in joining a B.I.G.? Please email us at ProgressNTTA@ntta.org or call (972) 628-3134.

Visuals

Get a glimpse of what the DNT improvements from PGBT to SRT will look like after construction. Check out the video here. We also place photos of ongoing construction progress on ProgressNTTA.org.

Community meetings
Keeping the public informed about the project is a top goal for NTTA before and during construction. Informational meetings for members of the public will be scheduled and announced, as needed. Look on ProgressNTTA.org for the next meeting.

NTTA has joined the Red Thumb movement - a safety campaign aimed at ending distracted driving - specifically, texting and driving - by encouraging drivers to make some part of the their thumb red to remind them to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road at all times. You can show your support by wearing a specially made NTTA "W8 2 TXT" thumb band (available for free at all NTTA TollTag Stores), or paint your thumb nail red - anything that will make you think "STOP!" as you reach for your phone while driving. More importantly, you can help NTTA spread the message and encourage others to join the Red Thumb movement. 

As part of NTTA's involvement in Red Thumb, we have partnered with several cities and emergency responder departments including the town of Addison and Addison Police Department, city of Dallas, Dallas Police and Fire-Rescue, Dallas County, city of Plano Police Department, city of Carrolton Police Department, city of Highland Village Police Department, the city of Garland and city of McKinney. More partnerships are anticipated. The fight to end distracted driving starts with you. Make the commitment to drive phone-free today by visiting the pledge page.

Give your car some color with specialty TollTags 

 

Tollway drivers have the option to customize their vehicle with limited edition specialty TollTags. Drive your way to savings with the Dallas Cowboys (available for $22.99), Dallas Stars ($19.99) and the free SMU and TCU TollTags available now at TollTag Stores in Plano, Irving and Fort Worth. Learn more.