Construction will begin soon on the first section of the President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension, thanks to a finding issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Federal approvals have been received. Preparations are underway to begin construction, starting with Section 30.

On July 1, the FHWA issued a finding of “no significant impact” regarding the revised re-evaluation of the project’s Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and the evaluation of the project’s Section 4(f) document, which covers impacts to public parks or similar recreational areas.

That finding allowed the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) to issue a notice to proceed to construction to contractor Zachry Construction, which will soon start work on the first portion of the Eastern Extension. That portion, known as Section 30, is a 2.8-mile, $254.7 million section that stretches from north of the future Merritt Road/Liberty Grove Connector to south of Main Street in Rowlett.

FHWA reviews and approvals are required due to changes in the project that have occurred since the 2005 approval of the Eastern Extension FEIS. The project changes that have occurred since then include the use of all-electronic tolling and modifications of interchanges at Interstate Highway 30, Main Street, and the Merritt Road/Liberty Grove Connector.

While awaiting required federal approvals this spring, the NTTA continued working on the project by moving utilities and obtaining required right of way. These efforts are ongoing.

The projected opening date of late 2011 for the entire $1 billion, 9.9-mile project remains intact under the current timeline for the expected and received approvals. Construction on other sections should begin in early to late fall 2008. Because most of the project is being built in undeveloped areas, motorists are not expected to notice any traffic diversions or disruptions until late fall.

NTTA communicates lane closures and traffic information through updates on the NTTA Web site, www.ntta.org, and through traffic advisories and alerts.