HomeMy WebLinkAboutIR 8832INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8832
C., M
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council March 27, 2007
Page 1 of 2
SUBJECT: Advance Notice of Dallas /Fort Worth International Airport
Y#" Work Underway to Best Interact with DFW Connector Project
Dallas /Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) has begun to brief owner city staffs on
coordination with the Texas Department of Transportation and Regional Transportation
Council to take the best advantage of the Airport's opportunities of benefiting from the DFW
Connector Project (formerly known as The Funnel Project). While it is not anticipated that
owner city approval will be sought until early 2008, we want to alert Council that this process
is underway.
The DFW Connector Project is a highway improvement that is estimated to have a
construction cost of $789 million, with a construction timeframe of five to six years. It is the
east -west convergence point of four major highways: SH 114, SH 121, SH 360, and IH 635.
TxDOT has issued a request for qualifications for development of the project under a
comprehensive development agreement, with managed lanes. It will have impact on the
DFW Airport north entry ingress and egress, particularly during the construction phase.
Through extensive discussions and coordination with TxDOT and regional planners, Airport
staff has developed a program to:
• minimize the effect of the construction,
• reserve access through the project for the future Fort Worth Transportation Authority
commuter rail line into the Airport,
• improve cargo access /egress on Airfield Drive,
• enhance access to the commercial development parcels, and
• establish an easement for any necessary utility infrastructure expansion to serve the
commercial development.
The keystone of this program is the exchange of approximately 140 acres of DFW Airport
land needed for the DFW Connector for a dollar amount that will then allow the Airport to
make major roadway improvements on the Airport property.
The early improvements:
• will provide for the continued cargo traffic throughout the construction period,
• will make possible and enhance commercial development, and
• will assure improved north entry access.
Early implementation of the north entry roadway improvements will not only assist the
public's access to the Airport during DFW Connector construction, but will offer a reliable
alternative to south entry that may by that time be affected by construction on Airport
Freeway.
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS
INFORMAL REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL MEMBERS No. 8832
March 27, 2007
To the Mayor and Members of the City Council
Page 2 of 2
' SUBJECT: Advance Notice of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
y, Work Underway to Best Interact with DFW Connector Project
The land appraisal process is soon to be underway. Information on that appraised value and
budget details for implementing the roadway improvements will be provided. It is anticipated-
that standard state right -of -way instruments will be used to convey title of the property to
TxDOT. All mineral rights will remain, and specific lease- related access coordinated. The
schedule now calls for a public hearing on the program in August, with Board consideration of
the actions in November, and a request for Owner City approval in January. DFW Executive
Director Jeff Fegan is available at the Council's discretion to provide a more detailed briefing.
Members of the City Manager's Office and Legal Department will continue to review details
provided by the Airport and keep the Council advised of progress.
Charles R. Boswell
City Manager
ISSUED BY THE CITY MANAGER FORT WORTH, TEXAS