DFW AIRPORT, Texas, October 11, 2024
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) today completed the major rehabilitation of Runway 17R/35L, one of the largest of the airport’s seven runways, ahead of schedule following a major overhaul. Due to the project’s innovative phasing approach, Runway 17R/35L reopened in a shortened configuration in May and opened in the full operational configuration today. This innovative approach was achieved through strong partnership with the Federal Aviation Administration and American Airlines, which allowed crews to continue working on the full length of the runway while airline partners were able to have beneficial use of the shortened runway during the airport’s record-breaking summer travel season.
Runway 17R/35L is 13,400 feet long by 200 feet wide. The massive undertaking took more than 350,000 work hours and was achieved with no recordable safety accidents, with work including a complete reconstruction of the runway with a high-density asphalt overlay, and new and improved drainage, lighting, signage and deicing infrastructure.
The project also incorporated several sustainable initiatives, including the replacement of more than 2,700 runway lights to energy-efficient LED fixtures, and the recycling of more than 300,000 cubic yards of reclaimed concrete that was reused in the runway project as well as within other construction projects at the airport.
"Today marks the successful completion of the largest runway rehabilitation in our airport's history, which was achieved ahead of schedule and with no recordable safety accidents thanks to our focus on delivering a safe and efficient project," said Mohamed Charkas, Executive Vice President of Infrastructure and Development at DFW. "This achievement reflects the dedication and collaboration of all our partners and returns one of our busiest runways back into service ahead of the winter travel season."
DFW was awarded a $45 million Airport Infrastructure Grant under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration to assist in funding the investment. The rehabilitation project was completed by Austin Bridge and Road with design by AtkinsRéalis.
Construction at DFW
The runway project is a part of the airport’s historic nearly $9 billion capital improvement plan, called DFW Forward, which includes major upgrades, expansions and new facilities across the airport’s airfield, terminals and roadways. To learn more about the investments and transformation underway at DFW, visit 0733885.com/construction.
About Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) is one of the world’s busiest and most connected airports. Celebrating 50 years of service in 2024, DFW is proud to be not only a major port for North America but also a vital community asset. Centered between its owner cities of Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas, it serves as a major economic engine generating jobs and attracting businesses. DFW is committed to providing exceptional customer service and in 2023 was named the best large airport for customer satisfaction in North America by Airports Council International. A leader in sustainability, DFW is the world’s largest and North America’s first carbon-neutral airport. In 2023, DFW Airport served over 80 million passengers and offered more than 250 global destinations.
DFW Forward
Transformational work has begun on the airport’s historic multi-year capital plan totaling nearly $9 billion in investments with monumental upgrades and expansions underway across DFW’s terminals, airfield and roadway infrastructure. Learn more about how DFW is Going Monumental.
For more information, visit the DFW website or download the DFW Mobile App for iOS and Android devices. Follow @dfwairport on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.