D/FW Airport Construction Costs Rise

Posted on Tue, Feb. 10, 2004   
 
Airport Construction Costs Rise
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX

D/FW AIRPORT - The price tag for ongoing construction
at D/FW Airport may soon top $2.7 billion, about $208
million more than originally projected.

The airport board on Thursday will be asked to issue
another $180 million in bonds to finish several major
projects, including Terminal D and the SkyLink train,
by summer 2005. 


Some of the extra money is needed to install
anti-terrorism features such as reinforced walls and
better baggage inspection areas, airport executives
said. D/FW's tenants, including American Airlines,
agreed to the added costs in a meeting earlier this
week, airport officials said.


The debt would be repaid with passengers' ticket fees,
airlines' landing fees and other charges. The airport
also would spend about $20 million of its rainy-day
fund, which is derived from a portion of the $4.50
passenger facility charge on airline tickets.


"These are not taxpayer-supported costs," said Max
Wells, airport board chairman. "The tenants, the
airlines, they are in the end paying the bills."


Other additional projects include: extending curbside
canopies for taxis; a new cargo building; revolving
baggage claim security doors; deicing and fueling
improvements; utility plant renovations; employee
buses; road and bridge improvements; and information
booths at train stations. 
 

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