North Tarrant Expressway to be completed this year

The North Tarrant Expressway – the $2.5 billion highway construction project – will be completed at least six months ahead of schedule.

"The goal line is within sight on this project," Director of Corporate Affairs for NTE Mobility Partners Robert Hinkle said Friday afternoon at the Northeast Tarrant Transportation Summit.

The 13.3-mile project began in 2010 and was to be completed by June 2015, but will be done by the end of the year, Hinkle said.

Expansion to highways, work on frontage roads and the addition of TEXpress toll lanes are just some of the work that has been done over the years to improve transportation in the area of IH 820 and SH 121/183 between IH 35W in Fort Worth and Industrial Boulevard in Euless.

"This will open up a massive corridor for North Texas drivers," Hinkle said in a statement released Friday afternoon. "There will be a nearly seamless connection from North Dallas to downtown Fort Worth."

Drivers will have the option of taking the TEXpress toll lanes – which promise a sustained speed of at least 50 miles per hour – or stay on rebuilt highway lanes or frontage roads.