DFW International Airport Begins New Year With Construction Of Perimeter Taxiway

(DFW INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT – January 3, 2007) – Founders Plaza, a local favorite of aviation enthusiasts, tourists and school children, will close temporarily on January 4 as DFW International Airport begins construction of its innovative perimeter taxiway system. Founders Plaza will reopen later in 2007 on the northwest side of DFW at Airfield Drive and Texan Trail with a larger facility designed to educate and inform area visitors of DFW’s economic importance to the region. 

“Founders Plaza has been a great place for the traveling public and our community to watch the world’s third busiest airport at work for the past 11 years,” said Jeff Fegan, DFW’s CEO. “This is a outstanding resource for North Texas and we’re looking forward to a Plaza that is a venue for education, tours and sightseeing for the thousands who are interested in aviation.” 

The Plaza has been the site of several historic events at DFW, including an employee memorial on September 12, 2001 following the September 11 terrorist attacks, and the Airport’s 30th anniversary celebration. 

The relocation of the local landmark is necessary to facilitate the construction of DFW’s new perimeter taxiway project, which will enhance airfield safety by reducing runway crossings. The southeast quadrant of the perimeter taxiway system is the first to be built and will cost approximately $66.7 million. The project is expected to be complete by the Fall 2008. 

“Perimeter taxiways will provide the traveling public with a safer, more efficient airfield that will reduce delays and get passengers to and from their gates faster than ever before,” said Jim Crites, DFW’s executive vice president of operations. “The project is a great team effort between DFW, the Federal Aviation Administration and the pilots and air traffic controllers that work at DFW every day. We’re pleased the project is getting started so quickly.” 

With fanfare from then-Mayors Kay Granger of Fort Worth and Ron Kirk of Dallas, Founders Plaza was dedicated in 1995 as a tribute to the founders of the Airport, whose vision was to create not only a world-class Airport, but also a major economic engine for the entire North Texas region. The centerpiece of the 1.5-acre site is a granite monument with the names of those who helped forge the alliance between Dallas and Fort Worth in the 1960s that resulted in the creation of the Airport. 

The observation area features views of the Airport from an elevated hillside, binoculars mounted on posts and the piped-in voices of air traffic controllers as they direct a the daily aerial show of 1900 arriving and departing flights. 

Founders Plaza is located at 2829 30th Street (Carbon Road) at the southern end of runway 17C/35C on the east side of the Airport. The plaza is also home to a statue entitled “Share The Dream,” which will be relocated as part of the new site. 

Plans for the new Founders Plaza are not yet complete, but initial concepts call for a site about four times larger than the existing observation point, along with a collection of educational displays and canopies for observers.