From Staff Reports
[email protected]

The North Texas Tollway Authority will increase toll rates July 1, implementing a biennial toll rate schedule approved in 2009. On average, TollTag member rates will adjust a penny per mile, from 17.06 to 18.01 cents. ZipCash customers pay 50 percent more than the TollTag member rate.

Regularly scheduled increases help NTTA plan and fund transportation and allow NTTA to meet all its financial obligations, including repaying more than $9.5 billion in bonds issued to build toll roads. Through 2022, NTTA will re-invest more than $900 million for widening, improvement and construction of its roads to relieve congestion and provide mobility throughout north Texas.

One of these improvements will be adding a fourth lane to President George Bush Turnpike between Interstate 35E and Dallas North Tollway to ease congestion during peak drive times. This is scheduled to be completed in 2019.

TollTag members, 80 percent of toll road users, use prepaid accounts to receive discounted rates. ZipCash customers who become TollTag members prior to July 1 will receive TollTag discounted rates and lower their toll road costs. NTTA offers the $20 Starter TollTag and a cash-backed TollTag option, managed by the customer, so infrequent toll road users can still get discount rates.

“NTTA’s goal is to have every driver in a cost-saving TollTag,” said NTTA Chairman Kenneth Barr. “It is the least expensive and most convenient way for drivers to safely travel throughout Texas, Oklahoma and now, Kansas.”

NTTA does not receive tax dollars to operate and maintain its toll roads. Tolls are a “pay-as-you go” method to recover costs from only those drivers who use the road. Tolls also go toward quality maintenance of existing tollways and NTTA’s safety and service programs.

Drivers should watch for maintenance crews changing toll rate signs in the coming weeks. New rates will not take effect until July 1. You can view the new toll rates by visiting NTTA.org.

For more stories like this subscribe to our print or e-edition.