As many of you may have noticed, the Capital Development Program is well underway. Changes are occurring all over Airport property, not only for the benefit of DFW travelers but the entire North Texas region.

DFW Airport is investing $2.6 billion in the development of its infrastructure over five years to enhance its status as a world-class transportation facility. The Program consists of a new Automated People Mover to transport passengers between Terminals, a consolidated International Terminal D and significant airfield improvements. All projects are planned to be completed by Spring 2005.

Automated People Mover
The new Automated People Mover System (APM) may provide the best view in town when completed! Elevated 50 feet above the ground, the APM will replace DFW’s current Airport Train System and transport passengers in both directions between DFW’s Terminals on the secured side of the airfield.

With speeds of 30 miles per hour on nearly five miles of a dual-lane guideway, the new APM will enable DFW passengers to make fast, efficient, and convenient connections between Airport Terminals, saving travelers valuable time and energy during their trip through DFW. The APM is initially projected to handle approximately 5,000 persons per direction per hour with ultimate capacity of 8,500 persons per direction per hour.

Each Terminal will have two stations with trains arriving every two minutes. Passengers will be able to connect between Airport Terminals on the new APM system in an average of five minutes reaching DFW’s goal of a less than 30-minute connection time.

APM column placement has started on the airside of the Airport and soon the face of DFW will take on a whole new look. APM column placement at Value AA Parking is approximately 70% complete. The columns will hold the new-elevated bi-directional dual guideway that will run on the airside of the four existing terminals and through future Terminals D and F.

International Terminal D
The new consolidated International Terminal D will provide DFW’s fastest-growing passenger traffic segment (up 20 percent in 2000 alone) a world-class facility, thus maximizing convenience for both international and domestic travelers. All international flights, regardless of carrier, will be consolidated into this one Terminal, which will house all international arrivals and departures.

Terminal D will include 23 gates, accommodating both domestic and international flights. It will encompass approximately two million square feet, twice the size of DFW’s largest existing Terminal!

With soaring ceilings up to 70 feet high, DFW will provide a spacious and open environment for its passengers. Two major ticketing and check-in areas with 120 ticketing positions will enable travelers to quickly proceed to their gates. A 100,000 square-foot concessions area will provide an abundance of choices for eating, shopping or browsing. The new customs facility will have the capacity to process 2,800 passengers per hour, making the immigrations process less stressful.

The creation of 8,100 parking spaces will allow passengers and those greeting passengers to quickly park their vehicles and enter into the International Terminal. A three-level roadway system will separate arriving, departing and service vehicles to ensure quick access to the Terminal area.

The new International Terminal D, which now may look like a large dirt field from International Parkway, has been moving right along. 1.24 million cubic yards of dirt have been excavated to make room for the Terminal and the basement concrete is currently under construction.

Airfield Enhancements
DFW plans to extend Runways 18L, 18R and 17C. Other projects include apron extensions, Taxiway C extension and elevating service roads.