NETRMA

Toll 49 will be an outer loop around Tyler, Texas, to help improve travel in our growing area. Phase 1 construction consists of providing two lanes of the ultimate four-lane divided controlled access roadway. The construction of Toll 49 has been divided into three major projects – South, West, and East – for planning, funding, and construction purposes. Segment 1 of Toll 49 between US 69 and SH 155 in south Tyler opened to traffic in August 2006.

Segment 1 opened to traffic August 22, 2006 with toll collecting starting in November 2006. Segment 2 opened and began tolling in January 2008. This completed 7.5 miles of the south portion of the toll way. Segment 5 opened in June of 2012. Segment 3A opened in November of 2012. Segment 3B opened on March 28, 2013.

The construction cost for Segment 1 was $22.3 million. Segment 2 was let for construction for $15 million. The remaining south portion from FM 756 to SH 110 was estimated at $22 million. The construction cost for the West Section from I 20 to SH 155 was projected at $130 million.

The NET RMA is studying potential corridors for the expansion of Toll 49 to the east of Tyler and to the west and north of Longview. The East Texas Hourglass is a conceptual project. No defined routes have been established. The mapping shown is a general representation of the potential future roadway.

Completing the East Texas Hourglass will take time. Although we anticipate future segments will be built on a faster schedule with the momentum gained from the segments that are open and producing toll revenues, construction dates for segments 6, 6A, 7, 8, and 8A have not been determined.

Building any road – whether toll or "free" – requires taking steps to protect the environment. As a local agency, the NET RMA recognizes the importance of protecting the natural resources that are unique to northeast Texas. The NET RMA will work closely with environmental groups, neighborhood residents, and all interested stakeholders to ensure projects are developed in a manner that is consistent with community needs and desires. This type of environmental study takes time.

The time line for each segment will be different depending on the potential impacts to the environment. Dividing the corridor into segments can reduce the time of these studies. A single segment environmental study could take as long as 10 years or as little as 3 years.

As studies are completed, the information will be posted to the www.netrma.org and www.toll49.org websites. Please check back for more information. You can also follow the NET RMA on Twitter and Facebook.

Funding for the current feasibility studies are part of the loans procured from TxDOT for the construction of Segment 3B of Toll 49.

Future funding sources for the environmental process, ROW procurement, and construction have not been identified.

No. As with other sections of Toll 49, the East Texas Hourglass will be built in segments. Please see the map under the East Texas Hourglass tab for potential segments.

The order of individual segments has not been set. The NET RMA plans to use tolls to pay for the expansion of Toll 49. The agency will look for those segments that can be constructed at the lowest relative cost and that will generate the most revenue.

The NET RMA is the primary agency in charge of operations, maintenance, and future expansion of Toll 49. As part of the Toll 49 System, the NET RMA is the lead sponsoring agency and will coordinate with the four counties (Gregg, Harrison, Smith, and Upshur), the communities along the route, and the two TxDOT Districts in Tyler and Atlanta, during the development of the toll way.

More information here

You may calculate your toll by viewing the NET RMA Toll Rates Chart.

The tax on gasoline does go toward road construction. However, the cost and demand to build roadways has increased at a much more rapid rate than the tax. While Texas spends more than $5.5 billion each year improving mobility and safety on our roadways, its transportation needs run an estimated $16.5 billion per year, leaving TxDOT with an $11 billion shortfall annually.

The state’s growing transportation needs are outpacing its ability to finance roads using traditional, gas tax-supported methods. While funding was received to start the Toll 49 project, additional funds are needed to finish it. Tolls will help speed up this process by as many as 30 years, bringing significant benefits to the Tyler area. Additionally, the revenue generated from the toll road will stay local and be put back into the roadway for maintenance and/or used to finance other toll and non-toll projects in our area. For more information, Please go to the TXDOT web page: www.txdot.gov

• It will allow for faster completion.
• The revenue generated from the toll will stay in our local area.
• It will allow for more of our local tax dollars to go to other projects.
   

While Toll 49 will start as a two-lane roadway, there are plans to expand it to four lanes in the future as traffic grows. By constructing an access-controlled roadway, a tolled two-lane, two-way roadway offers motorists a faster and more reliable travel option to parallel county roads. There will be wide shoulders and no driveways, stop signs or other traffic obstacles to slow down traffic. Additionally, the tolls collected will pay for the maintenance, operation, and expansion of the roadway. Tolling will also allow for Toll 49 to be constructed sooner.

Revenue generated from tolls on the South Segment of Toll 49 will be used to cover the costs of the toll operation and maintenance. Tolling on the West Section of Toll 49 will help finance the construction of that phase of the project.

It is not likely since Toll 49 construction will be financed by revenue bonds and the pay-back period typically lasts 40 years. Furthermore, excess revenue from Toll 49 could be used to pay for other transportation projects in the future.

The North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) is an independent government agency created to accelerate the development of transportation projects in North East Texas. Their mission is to implement transportation solutions that will enhance the quality of life and the economic environment in their area. A 19-member board of directors that represent each of the member counties governs the NETRMA: Bowie, Kaufman, Cherokee, Gregg, Harrison, Panola, Rusk, Smith, Titus, Upshur, Wood, and Van Zandt. The NETRMA was established in October 2004.

Toll bills are mailed to drivers who use North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NETRMA) toll roads without having a valid TxTag, Toll Tag or EZ Tag account. If you received a toll bill, a vehicle registered in your name recently traveled on a NETRMA toll road. Be advised that if you loan your vehicle to someone else, Texas law dictates that the registered vehicle owner is responsible for paying any tolls incurred by that vehicle. Failure to pay a toll bill can result in additional fees and court fines.

Toll bills are part of the Pay By Mail program. Cameras on the toll road take a picture of a vehicle’s license plates, and that information is used to identify the registered owner of the vehicle. A toll bill is then sent to the registered owner’s address.

Pay By Mail customers have 30 days to pay their bill either in person, via check, online or over the phone.

If you are a TxTag, TollTag (North Texas Tollway Authority) or EZ TAG (Harris County Toll Road Authority) customer and have received a toll bill, there is probably a problem with your tag or account.

• Your tag may not be properly installed on your vehicle
• Your license plate is not listed on your account or linked to your tag
• You may need to add money to your account
• Your license plate may need to be updated
• Your tag could be inactive
• You could have a metallic oxide windshield which prohibits the tag from working properly
• There is some other problem with your tag account

In order to avoid penalties, you should make a payment on the bill received and contact your toll tag’s customer service center to correct the cause of the problem.

• Texas Tollways (TxTag) 1-888-468-9824
• North Texas Tollway Authority (TollTag) 1-877-991-0033
• Harris County Toll Road Authority (EZ TAG) 1-281-875-EASY (3279)

Toll bills issued by MSB are received because a vehicle registered in your name used a North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority (NET RMA) facility without a valid TxTag, TollTag or EZ Tag. The NETRMA operates Toll 49.

Toll collection on Toll 49 recently transitioned from Texas Tollways to the NET RMA. During this transitional period, some customers may receive bills from both Texas Tollways and Municipal Services Bureau (MSB). Please be aware that payments made to Texas Tollways will not resolve outstanding payment with MSB and vice versa. If you received a toll bill from Texas Tollways, please contact them at 1-888-468-9824.

MSB is not affiliated with TxTag, TollTag or EZ Tag, and payments made to these accounts cannot be applied to toll bills issued by Municipal Services Bureau.

You have been issued a Notice of Toll Violation because Texas Motor Vehicle records indicate a vehicle you own has used on a North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority facility, and you have not paid a toll bill that was previously sent to you by its stated due date.

Click here to view the toll bill and fee schedule.

The NET RMA operates cashless toll facilities. All electronic toll collection reduces operational costs, improves safety, reduces fuel emissions and speeds up traffic because drivers don't have to slow down or stop to pay their tolls. Customers on NET RMA facilities can pay their tolls using a properly installed toll tag that is associated with a prepaid account from NTTA, HCTRA, or TxTAG. They may also use the Pay-By-Mail option as well.

There are several ways to pay your toll bill or notice of violation. Payments can be made on-line or on the phone using a credit card or debit card, by mail using a check or money order or at any ACE Cash Express store nationwide. However, there may be an additional surcharge at ACE Cash Express.

Click here to pay your toll bill online now

Follow the links below to get more information about other payment methods

• By Mail
• By Phone
• In Person

While we advise you to pay your toll bill or Notice of Toll Violation in full to avoid incurring any additional fees or late charges, we will accept partial payments. Please be advised that partial payments will be applied to the oldest outstanding toll bill linked to your license plate. Failure to pay any remaining balances for toll bills in your name will result in additional fines and late fees.

Yes. You received a toll bill because Texas Motor Vehicle records indicate a vehicle you own was photographed using a North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority facility, and a valid TxTag, TollTag or EZ Tag was not detected. As the owner of this vehicle, you are legally responsible for the toll charges for which you have been billed, regardless of who was driving the vehicle, unless the vehicle was stolen or sold. Click here for information regarding vehicles that have been stolen or sold.

Under Texas law you may be able to dispute these charges if you meet one of the following criteria:

• You were no longer the legal owner of the vehicle at the time it was on the toll road, or
• The vehicle was leased or rented to another entity at the time it was on the toll road, or
• The vehicle was stolen prior to its use of the toll road.

To qualify for one of these exemptions, you must submit written proof that the vehicle was not legally under your ownership or control at the time the vehicle was on the toll road. This can be accomplished by mailing a copy of your toll bill along with one of the following documents to us:

• A copy of the Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification Form confirming sale or transfer of your vehicle to another owner;
• A copy of the rental or lease agreement, which includes the name and address of the party responsible for the car at the time the toll charges were incurred;
• A copy of the police report showing your vehicle was reported stolen prior to the time the toll charges were incurred.

If you believe your bill was issued in error, contact Municipal Services Bureau to request a review of your account.

Click here for more information and forms needed to dispute a violation.

If the address shown on your toll bill or notice is not current, or if you have recently moved, you must update your address through the Texas Department of Transportation. Click here to learn how to file your change of address.

Municipal Services Bureau (MSB) is the toll payment processor for the North East Texas Regional Mobility Authority. MSB can assist you with questions related to your toll bill or notice of toll violation and can process your payment.

Municipal Services Bureau's Customer Service Center is open Monday to Thursday from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., and Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. CST. You can contact MSB by phone at 888-923-2808.

Where can I get a TxTag?” parent_id=”my-accordion”] There are three easy ways to get a TxTag or open an account:

• Visit www.TxTag.org
• Call 1-888-468-9824
• Visit the TxTag Customer Service Center at 12719 Burnet Road, Austin, TX 78727
• If you have questions about your TxTag account or would like to open one, please contact the TxTag Customer Service Center at 1-888-Go-TxTag (1-888-468-9824). You can also visit them online at www.txtag.org for more information.