Having operated and maintained major highway corridors in North Texas for more than a decade, the leadership at LBJ Express, North Tarrant Express (NTE), and NTE 35W have always prioritized safety, particularly during the winter months when sleet, ice, and snow can make highway travel challenging for even the most experienced driver.

Annually, TEXpress teams that operate and maintain the LBJ Express, North Tarrant Express (NTE), and NTE 35W have participated in a one-day training to ensure all staff, especially those in the field, are prepared for winter weather. Our teams also have consulted regularly with TxDOT prior to the winter season and coordinated with them to operate in lockstep during the winter months, particularly when there are winter weather events.

This year, we elevated the winter weather preparation training to a whole new level, in partnership with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and in response to House Bill 4797, which passed during the 88th Texas Legislature. This bill requires TxDOT to develop a comprehensive training course on inclement weather for all highway and roadway operators in Texas.

Adriana Lastra, the LBJ Express COO, and John Boucher, the North Texas Concessions Director of Roadway Maintenance, volunteered to be part of TxDOT’s statewide group to develop a curriculum and training manual. Meeting regularly in Austin and Dallas, the working group also consulted with Texas Tech University professor Bill Lawson to gather best practices and knowledge; Lawson had previously developed a winter weather training manual in 2011.

Within only 60 days, the TxDOT-led group had developed a training course and manual and TxDOT held the first official training on October 17, which Lastra and Boucher attended, along with DFW Highways CEO Jose Espinosa. “Having leadership involved throughout the entire program, including attending the training, underscores just how committed we are to employing the best practices and protecting the safety of workers and the driving public when it comes to dealing with winter weather,” said Espinosa.

The North Texas Concessions leadership team rolled out the snow and ice training and manual at two separate events in November for the LBJ Express team and the NTE/NTE 35W teams. Leadership extended the training to two full days, which is unique in the industry, according to Boucher; most highway operators offer a half-day or one-day training. A total of 77 employees participated in the two trainings, which covered:

  • Safely operating and driving all equipment
  • Road safety for the public and the maintenance personnel
  • Importance of keeping roadway clear
  • Making and storing brine and salt
  • Review of routes
  • Tracking materials usage
  • Calibrating equipment
  • Effective radio communication
  • Monitoring and reporting roadway conditions
  • Cleaning and maintaining equipment

In addition to the extended training, TEXpress invested significantly in new equipment and materials, purchasing multiple new pickup trucks, dump trucks, and spreaders and brine tanks for both. They also secured an additional 10,000-gallon brine storage unit and nearly tripled the salt storage capacity, creating one of the largest storage capacities in the state.

“Our collaboration with TxDOT will undoubtedly raise the bar when it comes to inclement weather safety for all highway operators across Texas,” said Robert Hinkle, Director of Corporate Affairs for the North Texas Concessions. “As a company, we will continue to evaluate the practices of DOTs in the United States and consult with our concession colleagues at I-77 in North Carolina and I-66 in Virginia, as well as our international operations in Canada and Slovakia. Our goal is to keep our highways clear, keep traffic moving, and create the best environment for drivers’ safety on the roadways.