FHWA Administrator Mendez Marks Significant Construction Milestone for DFW Connector

Topics:  Victor Mendez

Federal Highway Administration
9 December 2011

FHWA 68-11
Friday, December 9, 2011
Contact: Nancy Singer
Tel: 202-366-0660

GRAPEVINE, Texas - Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez today joined state and local officials in marking a significant construction milestone, the fifty percent completion mark, for the DFW Connector. When completed, the DFW Connector will alleviate congestion for drivers in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area.

"President Obama knows that projects like this create jobs for people today while making sure our transportation systems meet the demands of tomorrow," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "The DFW Connector is a terrific example of how we are building a strong foundation for our nation's economic growth one transportation project at a time."

At $260 million, the DFW Connector represents the nation's largest investment of American Recovery and Reinvestment Act dollars in a highway project.

"This project has provided paychecks for hundreds of construction workers, which is critical in these tough economic times," Administrator Mendez said. "Once completed, it will provide a safer and less congested travel route, as well as help the economy by making it easier for businesses to thrive."

The total project cost of the project is $1.02 billion. It runs 8.4 miles on the SH 114/121 corridor through the communities of Grapevine and Southlake, part of the Dallas/Fort Worth metro area. Improvements include 12 to 14 new main lanes and four toll-managed lanes, which will double existing highway capacity.

Traffic volume along SH 114 is expected to grow from today's 189,000 vehicles per day to 359,000 by 2030. The Connector will build the capacity needed to handle this projected growth.