LBJ Express Celebrates a Decade of Enhancing Mobility and Economic Growth

A Decade of Transformation: LBJ Express

September 10, 2025, marks a significant milestone for the LBJ Express with its 10th anniversary celebration. This remarkable 13-mile corridor, which stretches from Interstate 35E/Stemmons Freeway to U.S. 75/Central Expressway along Interstate 635, was inaugurated in 2015. With an investment of $2.6 billion, LBJ Express was the largest public-private partnership (P3) infrastructure project in the United States at its inception and remains a vital artery for North Texas.

The LBJ Express was constructed to address the explosive growth and economic expansion in the North Texas region. Spearheaded by the LBJ Infrastructure Group—comprising Cintra, Meridiam, and APG Asset Management—this complex infrastructure development took just six years to complete, drastically improving the region's capacity to transport people and goods.

When the LBJ Freeway first opened in 1968, it revolutionized transportation in Dallas, intended to support 180,000 vehicles daily. Over time, as the demand surged, it became clear that the existing infrastructure could not keep pace, leading to the LBJ Corridor Study that began in 1987. However, limited public funding delayed necessary improvements.

The innovative P3 model not only mitigated risks but also ensured timely funding through private sources, limiting taxpayer contributions to a mere 18%. This partnership model allowed construction to advance rapidly, demonstrating efficacy in both time and cost management. According to Michael Morris, director of transportation for the North Central Texas Council of Governments, such partnerships have been vital in expediting crucial transport corridor expansions in the rapidly urbanizing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.

Andrés Sacristán, CEO of Cintra, emphasized the project's transformative power, stating that the reconstructed LBJ corridor parallels the original freeway’s revolutionary impact on Dallas. The project utilized local expertise, sourcing hundreds of contractors and vendors to manage various construction phases simultaneously. This not only bolstered job creation—generating over 35,000 positions—but also drove an impressive $6.8 billion in economic output for the region.

The positive ripple effects of the LBJ Express have extended well beyond traffic improvement. As Ken Malcolmson of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce noted, this project significantly enhanced access to retail centers, boosting local businesses and tax revenues for communities along the corridor.

Innovations in design were also a hallmark of the LBJ Express. The introduction of a cantilevered design for the managed lanes, some constructed underground, saved approximately $1 billion in construction costs. Technological advancements did not cease with completion, as the corridor's operations are continuously monitored through a 24/7 traffic management center, ensuring efficiency and reliability.

In the last decade, the success of the LBJ Express has also translated into shared financial benefits for the state, with $250 million directed toward other critical transportation projects. The managed lane network offers drivers a choice, contributing to improved trip reliability and safety, underlining the advantages of the P3 model.

With over 175 million trips logged on the TEXpress network in the past ten years, including 25 million in 2023 alone, the LBJ Express has consistently alleviated congestion during peak hours by approximately 30%, amounting to a staggering three million hours saved.

Pablo Ferrando, CEO of the LBJ Express, articulated the overarching mission of enhancing mobility while promoting economic growth, emphasizing the need for collaboration between public and private sectors. The success of the LBJ Express serves as a blueprint for addressing the transportation needs of expanding urban areas and improving the quality of life for residents in North Texas.

This anniversary not only celebrates ten years of service but also reinforces the path forward for similar transformative infrastructure projects—fostering a legacy of innovation, partnership, and growth for decades to come.