Improvements enhance safety, connectivity, and efficiency at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport  

A project to replace three existing flyover bridges over the International Parkway at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and introduce a safer, more efficient infrastructure design has earned Envision Gold.

International Parkway is a tolled six-lane divided highway that runs the length of the airport, carrying traffic to, from, and through the airport. Planned upgrades to the parkway strategically connect major transportation and freight networks, strengthening regional mobility, economic activity, and operational efficiency across the broader multimodal system. The right-hand ramp reconfiguration alone is expected to significantly boost safety; it’s projected to reduce crashes caused by left-hand exits by 49 percent. The improvements will also bring real benefits, such as less congestion, fewer accidents overall, and easier access for the 86 million passengers DFW serves each year, supporting over 684,000 jobs across the region.

A central part of the project is replacing the 50-year-old left-hand exit flyover bridges to Terminals A, B, and C over International Parkway with right-hand exits. The design creates a more intuitive driver experience and improves safety. In addition, high mast lighting along International Parkway is being replaced with long-lasting, energy-efficient LED fixtures. This upgrade will decrease annual energy consumption from roughly 2,300,000 kWh to approximately 1,250,000 kWh, a reduction of about 46 percent. Together, these improvements modernize a vital part of DFW’s roadway infrastructure, ensuring safe, reliable access for airport users and employees while supporting long-term regional mobility.

“This Envision Gold recognition reflects more than strong design. It demonstrates a deliberate shift toward infrastructure that performs under stress, adapts over time, and delivers measurable value to the region. By integrating safety, efficiency, and resilience into a single system, this project sets a clear standard for how critical infrastructure should be conceived and delivered.”

– Robert Horton, Ph.D., P.E., Vice President, Environmental Affairs & Sustainability Department, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport

“Congratulations to DFW and the entire project team on earning Envision Gold for DFW International Parkway Bridges & HML Poles Replacement Project. By reimagining critical infrastructure, DFW Airport is improving safety, efficiency, and connectivity while advancing its commitment to a more resilient, low-carbon future.”

– Anthony Kane, President & CEO of ISI

Verified Sustainability Achievements

Quality of Life – The project delivers broad social and economic benefits across the Dallas–Fort Worth region. By improving access, safety, and efficiency along International Parkway, the upgraded infrastructure enhances regional connectivity, reduces congestion, and improves the travel experience for passengers and employees alike. The project also benefits underserved and historically disadvantaged communities near the airport and throughout parts of Dallas County. Assessments demonstrated notable quality-of-life gains, including improved accessibility and reduced emergency risks, with a focus on minimizing social impacts.

Life-Cycle Economic Evaluation – A key project decision involved reconfiguring left-hand exits to right-hand exits to improve safety and efficiency. A comprehensive triple bottom line analysis, assessing environmental, social, and economic impacts, showed the reconfiguration would deliver $2.00 in benefits for every $1.00 invested, providing strong value for users and the community. Based on this favorable outcome, project stakeholders unanimously supported the reconfiguration alternative. In light of the strong supporting documentation, the primary funding stakeholders voted to endorse the reconfiguration option.

Leadership and Collaboration – DFW Airport led an integrated project team with Archer Western and Jacobs, demonstrating exceptional interdisciplinary collaboration. Building on DFW’s established sustainability frameworks, the team coordinated across operations, design, and construction through weekly meetings, quarterly sustainability reviews, and regular engagement with the Operations and Maintenance division. These efforts ensured decisions reflected diverse expertise and long-term operational needs. The project builds on DFW Airport’s strong foundation for sustainable planning and leadership and reflects the airport’s ongoing commitment to advancing its sustainability initiatives, including its goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2030.

Sustainability Management Plan – A dedicated Sustainability Management Plan set clear performance goals and a flexible framework to track progress and adapt to project changes. Even after 70% design completion, the team pursued innovations to elevate the project’s Envision targeted verification level from Silver to Gold. Supported by a RAISE Grant partnership among DFW Airport, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG), the project aligns with the region’s Mobility 2045 Plan and advances broader sustainability and community goals.

Renewable Energy Use – The electricity used to power the high-mast lighting is the only operational energy consumption associated with this project. DFW purchases 100% of its electricity from renewable sources, with the associated Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) retired in the airport’s name.

Establish Resilience Goals and Strategies – DFW Airport’s primary resilience goal is to ensure continuous operation and rapid recovery from any disruption, recognizing that its performance is vital to the economic stability of the North Central Texas region. The airport embeds resilience into all assets and operations through proactive risk management and integrated decision-making processes grounded in its Enterprise Risk Management and Safety Management Systems. This project directly supports those goals by addressing critical infrastructure risks before they could impact operations, strengthening the airport’s primary ground transportation link.

Improve Infrastructure Integration – The project enhances integration between the airport, regional infrastructure systems, and surrounding communities. It consolidates DFW’s utilities by relocating water, wastewater, electrical, and telecommunications infrastructure near the business center, improving operational efficiency and resilience. The upgraded International Parkway also strengthens the connection between the transportation network and the broader socio-economic system. These improvements are projected to save $8.2 million through avoided accidents and $41.9 million in travel time savings on flyovers.