NTE 35W Highway, TX

The $1.6 billion North Tarrant Express 35W project spans 27.5 km along I-35W, crossing through the heart of Fort Worth. The project was built in two segments.

Managed highways apply a dynamic toll to ensure that users can drive at a minimum average speed of 80 km/h any time of day, even during peak hours. This completely renovated project also offers better standards and more safety for users who choose not to use these lanes.  This project, which entails a complete renovation of the corridor, also benefits users who choose to use the toll-free lanes since the standards have been improved for the entire corridor, resulting in higher road safety. 

The project was divided into two segments (S3A and S3B): 

Segment 3A encompasses a total investment of $1.4 billion. It was developed by a consortium led by Cintra in the framework of a concession agreement (CDA). This segment has a total length of 7 miles along the I-35W corridor through downtown Dallas.  The total reconstruction of the link between I-35W and SH-820 is also a part of this project. This road includes Segment 1 of the North Tarrant Express, another project we manage in the area. Our construction brands, Ferrovial Construction and Webber, completed the project two months ahead of schedule. The P3 process accelerated the implementation of the project in several years. The project consisted of rebuilding general-purpose lanes and service lanes along the corridor, constructing two managed lanes in each direction, and implementing a dynamic toll system. 

Segment 3B, which is 6.4 km in total, was financed, designed, and built by the Texas Department of Transportation. This segment opened in July 2017, and since then, the consortium led by Cintra has been responsible for its operation and maintenance. 

This project has improved mobility by adding additional road capacity by combining general-purpose lanes and continuous service lanes, along with managed lanes to keep traffic moving. It also provides north Tarrant County residents with direct access to employment opportunities in Fort Worth’s central shopping district. 

Third segment (3C):

Segment 3C represents an investment of more than $1 billion and opened in June 2023. This 6.7-mile section of I-35W from N. Tarrant Parkway to Eagle Parkway consists of improvements with the reconstruction of main lanes, expanded frontage roads, and the addition of TEXpress Lanes. A concession led by Ferrovial subsidiary Cintra financed and designed the new highway system and will operate and maintain this segment along I-35W on behalf of the Texas Department of Transportation. Completed three months ahead of schedule, the roadway was constructed by Ferrovial Construction and Webber, also subsidiaries of Ferrovial.

NTE3 provides a major relief to the daily congestion around Downtown Fort-Worth in one of the most trafficked corridors in North America (I35W). Fort Worth has experienced a rapid population growth in the last few years and with the new managed lanes, we are helping to make that growth sustainable. Once completed, the project will support the economic vitality in the area and will increase opportunities for business.

Alberto González Lalueza, NTE 35W CEO

Community impact 

With this project, our CSR contributions are focused on helping and promoting teaching programs related to science and technology in local school districts. As a result of this initiative, hundreds of advanced placement students and teachers have received resources and a curriculum to acquire higher-level skills and opportunities to take exams for college credit. We have helped the Fort Worth Independent School District launch a nation-wide competitive eSports program, in addition to awarding seniors merit-based STEM scholarships. 

Other examples stemming from this initiative include the launch of a national e-sports program and various merit-based scholarships for science and technology programs for seniors.

Connecting communities in Texas

Our projects serve as an economic engine for growth, supporting the well-being of the communities where we work and live. We worked with the consulting firm, Steer, to prepare the Economic and Community Impact of Ferrovial’s Toll Roads report.

The study measured the economic value generated in the regions we invest in and the benefits received by travelers from the start of each concession until December 31, 2022.