The newest entrance to Garland, on the SH-190 Eastern Extension, takes shape as the new bridge across Rowlett Creek draws closer to completion (see Section 28 on map below). The overpass ahead is Firewheel Parkway. Home Depot can be seen in the distance. Best Buy is to the left and Firewheel Town Center is to the right.

From NTTA President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Update:
 

President George Bush Turnpike Eastern Extension Click graphic for large version

The Eastern Extension is a portion of the outer loop around Dallas and its suburbs that connects Interstate Highway (IH) 30 to the existing President George Bush Turnpike (PGBT). It is part of the Loop 9/State Highway 190 corridor first envisioned in the 1960s. Construction on the approximately 9.9-mile corridor began in October 2008. The project is expected to open to traffic in fourth quarter 2011.
 
Milestones

• A $160 million toll equity grant from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to the NTTA was approved for right of way (ROW) and other costs on August 23, 2007.
• A three-party agreement among the NTTA, TxDOT and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) was executed in November 2007.
• In addition, a TxDOT/NTTA two-party agreement was executed, allowing eminent domain proceedings for critical ROW acquisition to begin; property acquisitions are ongoing.
• TxDOT approved a revised schematic on March 7, 2008.
• The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Section 404 permit was approved April 25, 2008.
• The City of Dallas (Dallas Water Utilities, or DWU) agreement for the Lake Ray Hubbard bridge was approved by the Dallas City Council and NTTA Board of Directors in May 2008.
• A rail-crossing agreement with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) was approved by the DART Board and NTTA Board, also in May 2008.
• FHWA approved the Final Environmental Impact Statement Re-evaluation on July 1, 2008.
• A groundbreaking for the first construction contract, Section 30, from north of the future Merritt Road to south of Main Street in Rowlett, took place August 21, 2008. Construction began on October 13, 2008.
• All five sections of the extension were officially under construction by mid-March 2009.

Corridor Updates

• A migratory bird survey found no nesting birds in the remaining ROW of Section 28, which allowed clearing and construction to begin. The contractor’s earthwork subcontractor received a Nationwide Permit 33 from the USACE for the installation of a construction access road across Rowlett Creek. The contractor has constructed ramp detours and installed a temporary traffic signal for the intersection of State Highway 78 and the eastbound frontage road.
• In Section 29, crews began installing front panels for the retaining wall at the Miles Road bridge. Crews also continued installing the retaining walls at Merritt Road. In addition, workers continued installing moisture-treated subgrade at Miles and Merritt roads.
• In Section 30, the contractor continued work on the future Merritt/Liberty Grove connector, a new culvert and the placement of various retaining walls and water lines throughout the project. Placement of the bridge decks at the Liberty Grove bridges has begun, and the Kirby Road detour adjacent to Rowlett High School was constructed.
• The Section 31 contractor continued installing underground utilities and doing earthwork from the southern project limit proceeding north. Crews also continued the moisture-treated subgrade work near the southern project limit and installation of the retaining walls at the south end of the project near Miller Road to Lake Ray Hubbard. In addition, the contractor began working on the southbound frontage road north of Miller Road.
• Section 32 is being constructed by TxDOT.

Next Steps

• Open the service road in front of the Mariners Cove subdivision in Rowlett, Section 30
• Switch DART service to temporary tracks in Section 30
• Continue construction on all sections

Corridor Details

• Project limits: Extends the PGBT from SH 78 to IH 30
• Project length: Approximately 9.9 miles
• Anticipated project cost: Approximately $1 billion
• Anticipated NTTA cost: Approximately $623 million
• Anticipated opening date (all sections): Fourth quarter 2011

Project Partners

  TxDOT, Dallas County, Dallas, Garland, Rowlett, Sachse
 

 
The north Garland section, Section 28, is nearing the final grades for the roadway and for entrance and exit ramps. Lanes are beginning to take shape in the canyon section near Firewheel Town Center. The new ramps to Lavon Ave (SH-78) are also taking shape. Changes in the roadway elevation, not yet started, is forcing the construction of new ramps. The large panels used to construct the retaining walls have been stacked in several locations as that work starts. Opening is still expected in the fourth quarter, 2011.