Public Information Office 210 S. McDonald Street Suite 626 McKinney, Texas 75069 www.collincountytx.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 20, 2007

Dignitaries Break Ground on Service Roads for Future Tollway Extension in Collin County

Prosper, TX – Collin County officials were joined today by dignitaries from cities and towns in northwest Collin County and the Board of Directors of the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) in breaking ground for new service road to be built along the future extension of the Dallas North Tollway. Known as “DNT Phase 4,” this 13.5-mile extension of the Tollway from U.S. 380 to the Grayson County line is currently under study.

"In the last six years, seven out of the 10 fastest-growing cities in the north Texas region are here in Collin County," said Collin County Judge Keith Self. "This groundbreaking is just one step in enhancing our infrastructure to better manage the county's growth in Prosper, Celina, and beyond."

“The North Texas Tollway Authority has a long-standing partnership with Collin County in collaborating to deliver needed mobility projects for the citizens of Collin County,” said Paul N. Wageman, Chairman of the NTTA Board of Directors. “As we know it’s just a matter of time before the Dallas North Tollway Extension Phase 4 is built and operational, now is the time to get the service roads built.”

Collin County has awarded a contract to be paid from 2003 bond election funds to Rodman Construction and Halff Associates totaling $11,345,765 for the construction and engineering of a roadway from U.S. 380 to FM 428 just west of Celina. Scheduled to be open to traffic in 2008, that roadway could become the future northbound frontage road for the Tollway Extension. The contract also calls for the construction of a transition section just north of U.S. 380 to connect with the Tollway Extension Phase 3 frontage roads. The transition section should be completed in August of this year.

Emceeing the groundbreaking event held in Prosper, Texas was Joe Jaynes, the Collin County Commissioner for Precinct 3. He told the audience that he remembered in early 2000 when he first met with a small group of residents to discuss the expansion. “This project would not be possible without the support and guidance of a committee of residents who spent a great deal of time and energy to help us plan this expansion,” said Commissioner Jaynes.

He added, “We are also grateful that the private sector has been an important part of this effort as $10 million worth of right of way has been donated for these service roads.”

Gary Base, a Collin County appointee to the NTTA Board of Directors, told the audience, “The opening of an additional 13.5 miles of toll road in the future will result in an improved quality of life, development, prosperity and growth for the citizens and businesses of Collin County and its surrounding communities.”

The Dallas North Tollway Phase 4 Extension, north of FM 428, will run north along the Denton/Collin county line.

“Denton County is growing too and our transportation system must be ready to meet our future needs,” said Mary Horn, Denton County Judge. “When it is completed, the Phase 4 Extension will also be of great benefit to our residents.”

“The Phase 4 Extension is a very critical project to all of Denton County, especially the northeast quadrant,” said Cynthia White, Denton County Commissioner, Precinct 1. “We appreciate the NTTA responding to the demand for additional mobility.”

“Planning for future growth is one of our most important responsibilities and with the Tollway Extension we are doing just that,” added Jack D. Miller, Vice Chairman of the NTTA Board of Directors and a Denton County appointee to the Board.

Joining Commissioner Jaynes, Judge Self, Chairman Wageman and Director Base in the official service road groundbreaking were the other members of the Collin County Commissioners Court, Town of Prosper Mayor Charles Niswanger, Celina Mayor Corbett Howard, council members from the cities of Celina and Prosper, as well as members of the NTTA Board of Directors, members of the Collin County Citizens Committee, and Ruben Delgado, Collin County Engineer.

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