North Texas Drivers Now Have Easier Access to Major Highways Thanks to Opening of DFW Connector

Almost a year early, completion of this project will save drivers time and money

GRAPEVINE — Traffic relief is now at hand for 180,000 motorists per day thanks to the completion and opening of the DFW Connector. The Texas Department of Transportation, joined by local partners and state/federal officials, marked the occasion with a ceremonial ribbon-cutting and signing of a project banner originally displayed when construction of the $1.1 billion DFW Connector project began in early 2010.

TxDOT and project partner NorthGate Constructors completed the design-build project nine months ahead of the original completion date. The project, TxDOT’s first public-private partnership to open to traffic in North Texas, doubles the capacity of the existing highway from 12 to 24 lanes. It also will ultimately add TEXpress managed lanes in the area where multiple state roadways converge north of DFW International Airport.

“Using a design build concept and financing tools provided by the legislature enabled us to complete the DFW Connector 11 years sooner and save more than $400 million versus traditional methods,” said Phil Wilson, TxDOT executive director. “That is a huge deal for the 180,000 motorists who rely on this corridor to get to and from work. It means less time sitting in traffic and more quality time with their families.”

The DFW Connector is an eight-mile highway that connects state highways 114 and 121, and adjacent roadways located north of DFW International Airport, the fourth-busiest airport in the world. It includes multiple major interchanges, 39 bridges, new direct connect ramps and continuous frontage road lanes. At the widest point along SH 114, between Main Street and International Parkway, the highway is now 24 lanes wide. The project also will include two managed toll lanes, TEXpress lanes, in each direction on SH 114. Those lanes will open in early 2014.

While the event commemorated the work completed on the DFW Connector, transportation leaders also recognized the start of construction on FM 2499 in Grapevine. The $90 million project began earlier this month with completion expected in 2017.

“We attribute our success to the great partnership we’ve had with TxDOT over the past three years, as well as coordination between the local cities and DFW Airport,” said Rob Anderson, NorthGate Constructors project director. “We’re looking forward to reaching substantial completion and continuing to improve traffic flow for commuters with the additional FM 2499 reconfiguration.”

For media inquiries, contact TxDOT's Dallas District Office or (214) 317-0251, or TxDOT Media Relations at MediaRelations@txdot.gov or (512) 463-8700. NorthGate Public Information Officer Alyssa Tenorio can be reached at Alyssa.tenorio@northgateconstructors.com or (972) 536-8620.