Fort Worth pleased with important vote on Southwest Parkway

City officials were extremely pleased with the vote today by the North Texas Tollway Authority (NTTA) to approve a financing agreement for SH161 and Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail. The agreement was approved by the Texas Transportation Commission on Wednesday, and will help jump start construction on these important regional mobility solutions.

Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail is a 28-mile major roadway with managed lanes that will create a direct connection between downtown Fort Worth and Cleburne in Johnson County. It’s the first NTTA project in the western counties of the North Texas region. Once completed in 2013, Southwest Parkway will reduce traffic pressure on south I-35W, Hulen Street and Bryant Irvin Road. NTTA expects to begin construction in the third quarter of this year.

In response to the historic votes, Mayor Mike Moncrief and Councilmember Jungus Jordan released the following statements:

“After 48 years of sitting on a drafting table, the Southwest Parkway/Chisholm Trail project has, to some, become a bit of a myth – an illusion. There’s been a lot of talk, and there’s been a lot of work to clear the path for this project. Now, it looks like we’re finally going to get started on the actual roadway. Thanks to the leadership of Texas Transportation Commission, the NTTA Board and the Regional Transportation Council (RTC), we can feel confident in the fact that this project is no longer a mirage. Solving the mobility challenges in our city and our region is like building a puzzle – and Southwest Parkway is a major piece of that puzzle. This historic agreement means real traffic relief for the citizens of Fort Worth in the near future. I thank all of the partners involved in getting this project across the goal line. This has been a team effort.” – Mayor Mike Moncrief

“The people of southwest Fort Worth have been eager to finally see concrete poured on this historic project. Thanks to the vote by the NTTA Board today, the citizens I represent can expect to see concrete poured in short order. We are absolutely elated that after nearly 50 years of this project being debated that we now have an agreement by all parties to proceed. We look forward to Southwest Parkway being completed no later than July of 2013. The milestone reached today is the product of a lot of hard work on the part of the RTC, the Texas Transportation Commission, the NTTA Board as well as the North Central Texas Council of Governments. We thank all of the important leaders for their commitment to the spirit of partnership.” – Councilmember Jungus Jordan, District 6

Councilmember Jungus Jordan recognized for regional leadership

On August 13, at the 12th Annual Transportation & Infrastructure Summit in Irving, Fort Worth City Councilmember Jungus Jordan was presented with the National League of Cities Excellence in Transportation Award. Also during the Infrastructure Summit, Councilmember Jordan received the North Texas Commission's 2009 North Texas Transportation Excellence Award in Mobility or TEAM award. Councilmember Jordan continues to promote regional partnerships with the goal of improving mobility and air quality for the people of District 6, Fort Worth and north Texas.

Police investigation warranted

"Fort Worth is home to the finest, best trained professional police department in the world, and this city has a well established reputation as a community where people treat others with respect and common decency. We pride ourselves and actively practice the "Golden Rule" and we sincerely believe in the principles of individual liberty. On Sunday, Chief Jeff Halstead assured this City Council and our citizens that the events leading up to the arrests at the Rainbow Lounge will be investigated in full compliance with the highest standards of professionalism and principles of integrity. I support this action, and will be looking for a thorough, comprehensive and transparent review of the facts." - Councilmember Jungus Jordan

Councilmember Jordan honored with regional award

During the June 12th General Assembly of the North Central Texas Council of Governments, Fort Worth City Councilmember Jungus Jordan was presented with the William J. Pitstick Award in recognition for his excellence in leadership for regional cooperation in North Texas.

The prestigious annual award was established in 1993 to recognize local individuals for their strong commitment to the concept and promotion of regionalism. The award is named in honor of Bill Pitstick who served the north central Texas region as executive director of the North Central Texas Council of Governments for 26 years.

Since his election to the city council representing District 6 in 2005, Jordan has made regional mobility and air quality a top priority, not only in Fort Worth but across the region. Through his leadership transportation was considered the number one priority for North Texas this legislative session.

“The issue of mobility has no borders. Traffic congestion doesn’t care whether you’re in Fort Worth, North Richland Hills, Burleson or any other community. This is an issue that affects all of us in North Texas, no matter where we live or work. Gridlock is a serious threat to our quality of life and the continued economic viability of our community. It’s an extraordinary challenge that won’t be solved in silos. It’s going to take all of us working hand in hand with our regional, state and federal partners,” Jordan said. “I’m humbled and honored by this recognition from my colleagues. We still have a lot of work ahead, and I urge all of us to continue to serve our communities with a special focus on maintaining that spirit of collaboration.”

During the ceremony to present Jordan with the award, John Murphy, Chair of the NCTCOG Executive Board and a Council Member in Addison, said that Jordan—through his work to address the problem of regional mobility—has exemplified the spirit of regional cooperation that the Pitstick Award represents.

“Our winner has served not only his city, but the entire North Central Texas region, with his tireless efforts on behalf of residents and businesses in the region,” Murphy said. “He has certainly broken down barriers and brought many parties to the table to discuss and devise potential solutions to gridlock that affects all of us throughout the region. Our winner understands that better mobility and air quality are critically important to residents and essential to preserving the economic vitality of the region.”

District 6 Newsletter, First Edition, 2009

District 6 Newsletter, Second Edition, 2008 

District 6 Newsletter, First Edition, 2008