DALLAS — One of the two runways at Dallas Love Field will be closed starting Monday as work for safety improvements begins. The closure is expected to last until approximately Oct. 29 - a span of 85 days - and could result in flight delays.
“Air traffic control and FAA are trying to balance the flights that come in on a regular basis and the frequency of them all on one runway,” said Love Field’s interim director of Infrastructure and Development Vincent Lewis. “We coordinated a lot with Southwest, Delta, and Alaska to figure out when’s the least disruptive time to shut down the runway and the goal is to make sure we open it back up prior to the holidays.”
Love Field says the project on Runway 13L/31R will correct safety deficiencies with new grading and the installation of a new drainage system along Taxiway A.
“Taxiway Alpha is one mile of brand new pavement we're going to replace it with” Lewis said. “It also includes 15 miles of electrical infrastructure we're going to d,o as well as 387 tech lighting that's gonna be replaced with LED lights.”
Airport officials warn travelers that all air traffic will now use a lone runway during the closure and the reduced airfield capacity could potentially cause delays. They advise customers to check flight statuses when flying.
“We are committed to ensuring the highest safety and efficiency standards at Dallas Love Field, and these improvements are a vital part of that commitment," Patrick Carreno, director of the Department of Aviation, said in a news release.
Additionally, those who live and work in the area might notice increased noise exposure while the runway work is taking place.
Love Field wasn't seeing a major impact Monday morning, the first day of construction on the runway improvements. By around 9 a.m., there had been 14 delayed flights, just 3% of the overall schedule, according to FlightAware.