Projects

Runway 18R/36L at Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) Airport has been closed for rehabilitation since June 1, 2020 and is anticipated to be reopened for daytime operations on April 14, 2021. The use of the runway will be limited by closures of some runway exit taxiways that are still under reconstruction. As a result, air traffic will still be using other runways until Runway 18R/36L is at full capacity. Runway 18R/36L will be closed for night work from 10 pm - 8 am until May 4, 2021, at which time the night closure time will be reduced to 11 pm - 7 am. 

Built in 1984, this north-south runway is the main arrival runway on the west side of the airfield handling 40% of daily arrivals, and is in need of significant repairs. This project is part of DFW Airport's 10-year Infrastructure Rehabilitation program to address runways and taxiways that will need significant rehabilitation work. It is the second project of its kind at the airport in the past two years and will be similar to the rehabilitation of Runway 17C/35C, which took place from May 2018 through March 2019.

With operations at historic lows due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DFW Airport decided to accelerate this project to take advantage of the current situation and lessen the impact on surrounding communities.

Project WorkloadDallas Fort Worth Airport Runways

The project will include:

  • Aircraft Rescue and Firefighting road realignment
  • Asphalt overlay
  • Improvements to drainage
  • Navigational aid adjustments
  • New lighting system
  • Pavement reconstruction
  • Reconstruction of shoulders and blast pad

Runway Closure

Runway 18R/36L will be completely closed during the rehabilitation project and air traffic will be diverted to the other six runways. The runway closure brings the possibility of increased air traffic and noise over Coppell during the period of construction, but noise modeling indicates there will not be a significant noise impact. There is a potential for increased use of arrival runways between 10 pm and 7 am during this project, although the impact will be less because of a significant reduction in operational levels. Coppell will be most impacted by air traffic and noise when winds are out of the south (70% of the year) causing arrivals to be shifted from Runway 18R and redistributed to others including Runway 17L on the east side of the airfield. Visit DFW Airport's Aircraft Noise page for the latest updates.

Documents

  1. 2020 18R-36L Rehab Fact Sheet Final (PDF)
  2. Dallas Fort Worth Airport Runway Rehabilitation Informational Handout (PDF)
  3. DFW Runway 17C 35C Rehabilitation A Briefing for the City of Coppell (PDF)
Dallas Fort Worth Operations During 18R-36L Closure