DFW Airport to launch $135m runway rehabilitation project

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in the US is set to launch a $135m infrastructure project to rebuild one of its busiest runways in order to address growing traffic.

The airport has secured a $49.5m Airport Improvement Program grant from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for the project.

Leveraging new technology to reduce construction time, the airport will start rebuilding the Runway 17-Center/35-Center on 24 May.

As a result, the runway will be partially closed; however, the southern portion will still be used during day hours.

In August, the airport plans to close the runway completely for traffic. The project is scheduled to complete by December.

DFW Airport infrastructure and development executive vice-president Khaled Naja said: “This runway work is a critical need for DFW Airport, and the first major step in our ten-year plan to modernise infrastructure across the airport.

“We’ve taken a long look at our 44-year old facilities and have developed a comprehensive plan to address the upcoming work on runways, taxiways, aircraft ramps, roadways and bridges over the next few years.”

The project will include resurfacing using polymer-modified high-performance black asphalt, which has been designed for strength, flexibility and weather-resistance.

It also includes the installation of new technologies, including an updated pavement sensor system to measure weather impact and improved in-pavement lighting to enhance the safety of the runway and connecting taxiways.

In addition, crews will construct connected portions of the planned perimeter taxiway for the north-east side of the airport.

DFW stated that the six other runways will allow airlines to continue operate their scheduled flights without any significant delays due to the closure.