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The proposed expansion of Texas 121/183 in Bedford, Euless, Hurst and Irving has been given environmental clearance by the Federal Highway Administration.
The approval makes it possible for the Texas Transportation Department to begin buying right of way — bringing closure to dozens of homeowners in the Hurst area who have known for much of the past two decades that their property was in the way of progress but couldn’t sell it."The process to acquire right of way has already begun. People are being contacted," project spokesman Robert Hinkle said, adding that most of the 340 parcels needed for the expansion are commercial. "That process will continue over a period of about 24 months. The first offers are probably not going to be made until early 2010."The Transportation Department may also now sign closing documents with NTE Mobility Partners, a private development group that plans to rebuild Airport Freeway with toll and nontoll lanes.The project is known collectively as North Tarrant Express and is expected to cost $2 billion overall, with gas tax dollars covering about $570 million and private investment covering the rest. Work could start in late 2010.NTE Mobility Partners, led by the U.S. arm of Spain-based Cintra, has signed an agreement to develop a master plan for the area, oversee the first phase of construction and collect tolls for up to 52 years.North Tarrant Express also includes the proposed expansion of Northeast Loop 820 in Haltom City and North Richland Hills — and eventually expansion of Interstate 35W in far north Fort Worth.The part of the project cleared by the FHA last week includes Texas 121/183 from North East Mall in Hurst to Texas 161 in Irving. The federal document is known as a finding of no significant impact, which demonstrates that local officials have properly thought through all of the ecological consequences, noise and other effects.The first phase of North Tarrant Express includes rebuilding lanes and adding toll lanes on Northeast Loop 820 from I-35W to North East Mall, and on Airport Freeway from North East Mall to the Texas 121/183 split in Bedford.More nontoll lanes would be added by 2030.GORDON DICKSON, 817-390-7796
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