The Regional Toll Revenue program expedites transportation projects by providing desperately needed funding.
The Texas Legislature enabled the Texas Department of Transportation to consider public- and private-sector partnerships to finance roadways. The result is a completed project with a toll component and revenue for transportation projects.
Reliance on traditional funding sources will not be sufficient to meet mobility needs of the growing region.
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Increasing costs, an aging infrastructure system and decreasing revenue contribute to a funding shortfall. A general summary of how transportation projects move from idea to funding to implementation is available.
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+ SH 121 and Other Transportation Projects
The first agreement to generate Regional Toll Revenue funds was with North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA). In exchange for the opportunity to construct, operate and maintain the 26-mile SH 121 toll road for 52 years, NTTA paid the region $3.2 billion. The Regional Transportation Council (RTC) used these funds to expedite about 200 transportation projects.
Following input from the public, elected officials and transportation partners, the RTC allocated funds for two categories of projects:
- Projects previously approved by the RTC but delayed due to costs exceeding funding initially allocated. These are known as "cost overrun" projects.
- New projects, submitted by transportation partners, cities and counties, selected by the RTC to receive funding following a project evaluation process, collaborative county task force meetings and public input.
A timeline outlines the project selection process while the Phase 2 version of the interactive Fund and Project Tracking System can be used to check on project and fund status and features an interactive map.
For a snapshot of projects with SH 121 RTR funds, review county maps.
+ RTR Calls for Projects
In May 2007, the Regional Transportation Council established priorities, emphasis areas and set aside funding for future initiatives and calls for projects. | Presentation [PDF]
| Sustainable Development Call for Projects |
In June 2010, total of $41 million was allocated to sustainable infrastructure and planning projects. RTR funds were specifically set aside for the 2009 Sustainable Development Call for Projects, which sought to:
- Reduce ozone-forming pollution from vehicles by promoting mixed-use developments through public/private partnerships.
- Support sustainable, walkable communities.
- Foster growth and development around historic downtowns, main streets, infill areas and passenger rail lines and stations.
Of the $41 million available to the region, $27.6 million was RTR funding available for infrastructure projects in the Eastern Subregion. An additional $1 million local dollars is set aside for planning projects.
Learn more about the 2009 Sustainable Development Call for Projects. Applications were due by 5 p.m. on October 2, 2009. The RTC on June 3, 2010 selected projects to receive funding.
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+ RTR Fund and Project Tracking System
A Regional Toll Revenue Fund and Project Tracking System is under development. Phase 2 of the system is available for users to view and utilize.
More features and capabilities will be added in Phase 3 of the system. |
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Transparently Reporting Project and Funding Details
Within the system, detailed RTR project information including status is combined with financial information about expenditures, interest earned and funds available. "Committed Fund" totals reflect amounts allocated to projects as of February 1, 2013. "Spent-to-Date" totals represent expenditures as of February 28, 2013.
As the system is developed, more up-to-date totals will be available. Archived reports are also available.
Regional Toll Revenue Annual Financial Report
How to Use the Fund and Project Tracking System
Funding and Revenue: The "dashboard" or main page shows a summary of account balances, allocations and funding available. Figures can also be viewed by county.
Project Status and Details:Use the search feature to query for projects by city, county, congressional district, agency, zip code, project type, selection process or facility name.
Enter the Fund and Project Tracking System here.
If you have questions or feedback about the tracking system, contact Omar Barrios at 817-608-2337 or obarrios@nctcog.org. For other RTR questions, please see a topic-specific list of staff contacts.
+ Implementing Local Entity Projects with RTR Funds
TxDOT, cities, counties and other transportation partners were recipients of RTR funds, and there are specific steps for initiating and implementing projects awarded RTR funds. Below are agreements and documents important to the process.
Agreements
Environmental Review (updated on 11/06/2012)
Invoicing/Status Reporting
Entities implementing RTR funded projects are required to submit monthly reports to NCTCOG through the online reporting system (http://rtrinternal.nctcog.org) for each phase of each project awarded RTR funding. The monthly reports should:
- Reference the TxDOT CSJ and NCTCOG TIP code
- Provide start and completion date estimates for each phase
- Identify the Phase for which funds are being expended
- Provide current period expenditures using RTR funds
- Provide current period expenditures using local matching funds
- Describe work completed during the current period
- Note the percent of phase completed to date
- Provide the interest rate earned during the current period on cash advance
- Provide the dollar amount of interest earned on cash advance during the current period
Establishing a User Account for the Online Reporting System
NCTCOG has developed an online system for implementing agencies to submit monthly reports which can be found at http://rtrinternal.nctcog.org. Prior to submitting information using this system, a user account will need to be set up in the system. To gain access to the system, please submit a letter signed by your City Manager or other appropriate official identifying the names and email addresses of any individuals who are authorized to report financial and project status data. Please note that any authorized individuals for an entity will be able to report information for all projects implemented by that entity.
Letters authorizing use of the system may be submitted to:
Brian Murawski
Senior Grants and Contracts Coordinator
North Central Texas Council of Governments
P.O. Box 5888
Arlington, Texas 76005-5888
Alternatively, letters may be scanned and emailed to Brian Murawski at bmurawski@nctcog.org. Following receipt of a signed letter, an account will be established and users will receive an e-mail with information on how to log into the system.
Any reports submitted to NCTCOG prior to creation of the online reporting system will be entered into the online system by NCTCOG staff. All future reports should be submitted using the online system.
+ RTR Workshops
On August 24, 2012, NCTCOG hosted two of workshops: A refresher on navigating through RAPTS and Close-out Process for completed projects. The first workshop also included fulfilling Environmental Review requirements, procedures for processing Sustainable Development infrastructure projects, entering invoices into the RAPTS system, and the required Status Reporting. The second workshop focused on the close-out process when a project is completed. Reporting requirements in the RAPTS system, close-out procedures for Sustainable Development projects, and reports TxDOT requires to finalize RTR-funded projects.
Both sessions were video recorded and can be viewed at the links below named "Video Recording" along with the "Presentation Documents" that contain the presentation and handouts for each session.
+ Understanding RTR Accounts and Policies
RTR funds are separated into two accounts, and RTC policies and state legislation determine how funds are allocated among counties and projects. Both accounts can be monitored through the Fund and Project Tracking System. RTC approval is required for selecting projects to receive RTR funds. Additionally, making changes to projects with allocated, or programmed, RTR funds follows the Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) Modification Policy since the TIP is a listing of funded transportation projects.
RTR funds are a result of a project with a toll component, and the RTC, as the regional transportation planning policy body for the Dallas-Fort Worth area, adopted several toll policies to govern toll rates, allocations and other details. Funding Descriptions & Categories
+ Events and Timeline
Reaching an agreement for the SH 121 RTR initiative was a collaborative process involving the RTC, TxDOT and NTTA. Other RTR funding initiatives will follow a similar process and involve coordination among RTC members, elected officials, transportation partners and the public to select projects to receive funding.
A timeline documents the process and supporting materials from public meetings, county task force meetings and RTC and Surface Transportation Technical Committee meetings.
| Project Commitments and Approvals |
Angela Smith
Transportation Planner
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817-695-9254
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asmith2@nctcog.org
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Christie Gotti
Senior Program Manager |
817-608-2338 |
cjestis@nctcog.org |
| Environmental Review |
Sandy Wesch, P.E., AICP
Program Manager
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817-704-5632
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swesch@nctcog.org
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| Contracting |
Brian Murawski
Grants Coordinator
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817-704-2506
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bmurawski@nctcog.org
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Emily Beckham
Grants Coordinator
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817-608-2308 |
ebeckham@nctcog.org |
Dawn Dalrymple
Grants and Contracts Manager |
817-608-2319 |
ddalrymple@nctcog.org |
Ken Kirkpatrick
Senior Program Manager |
817-695-9278 |
kkirkpatrick@nctcog.org |
| GIS/Technical Support |
Omar Barrios
Senior Transportation Planner |
817-608-2337 |
obarrios@nctcog.org |
David Raybuck
GIS Application Developer
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817-608-2357 |
draybuck@nctcog.org |
Mick Maguire
Program Manager, Research and Information Services
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817-704-2519
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mmaguire@nctcog.org
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| Interest, Revenue, Expenditure Tracking |
Hoyt Taylor
Transportation Fiscal Operations Supervisor
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817-704-5624
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htaylor@nctcog.org
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Molly Rendon
Fiscal Manager |
817-695-9131 |
mrendon@nctcog.org |
Monte Mercer, CPA
Deputy Executive Director |
817-695-9121 |
mmercer@nctcog.org |
| Sustainable Development Call for Projects |
Staron Faucher
Transportation Planner |
817-704-2505 |
sfaucher@nctcog.org |
Patrick Mandapaka
Transportation Planner |
817-704-2503 |
pmandapaka@nctcog.org |
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