Holiday News

Dallas-Fort Worth Airport forecasts busiest travel days for July 4th

DFW Airport

It may not be as crowded as Thanksgiving or Christmas, but summer travel is in full throttle at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport — with some of the busiest projected travel days taking place on the upcoming Independence Day/4th of July holiday period.

According to a release, DFW Airport anticipates approximately 1.8 million travelers during the seven-day period from Wednesday, July 2 through Tuesday, July 8.

The busiest days of the travel period:

Wednesday, July 2
Sunday, July 6
Monday, July 7

July 7 is expected to surpass more than 285,000 customers passing through DFW’s terminals.

Travel tips
Compounding the crowds is the fact that there is currently significant construction taking place across the airport’s roads and terminals. Customers are therefore encouraged to build in extra time. At minimum, DFW recommends arriving at the airport no later than two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights.

Parking: Save crucial decision-making time and get the best rates by booking in advance with prebook parking online. While terminal parking options are expected to fill up quickly, Express and Remote parking lots are also available with quick and convenient shuttle service to every terminal.

Public transit: DART’s Orange Line provides direct access to Terminal A, while Trinity Metro’s TEXRail connects riders to Terminal B.

Additionally, Trinity Railway Express (TRE) offers service from Dallas and Fort Worth to CentrePort/DFW Airport Station, with terminal access via the TRE Link shuttle. For details on transit schedules and fares, visit DART, Trinity Metro or TRE.

DFW Airport mobile app: Make informed decisions every step of the way based on live parking availability, security wait times, construction updates and more. Plus, travelers can opt-in to push notifications for real-time alerts and create a MyDFW account to customize preferences. The app is available for iOS and Android.

Construction Update
Terminal C: There are currently active work zones at Terminal C and along International Parkway with construction in the airport's ongoing renovation. Due to construction, Terminal C has reduced parking availability with updates to check-in and security. Travelers can view all construction updates at dfwairport.com/construction.

Terminal D: Peak Security Wait Times for International Travel. The busiest times for check-in and security checkpoints at Terminal D are in the early morning from 6-9 am and in the early evenings from 4-8 pm. International travelers are encouraged to arrive at least three hours before departure.

Curbside Protocol: Curbside areas are designated for active passenger drop-off and pick-up only. If the drop-off and pick-up are not active, then vehicles should head to the terminal garages for one-hour parking, or else cell phone lots at the north and south end of the airport.

transportation holidays

STILL STANDING

Quirky Stonehenge replica in Texas survived the devastating floods

Stonehenge II/ Facebook

Stonehenge II is undamaged after the Independence Day catastrophe.

One of the weirdest art installations in Texas' Hill Country has weathered the crushing Texas floods: Stonehenge II, an almost-to-scale replica of the ancient English landmark, was undamaged by recent flooding, according to Hill Country Arts Foundation, the 65-year-old arts nonprofit responsible for its upkeep.

Although the monument itself was unscathed, several adjacent facilities were damaged, including its black box theater, outdoor theater, offices, tech shop, and ceramics studio. The center will be shuttered until further notice.

“The recent flood did a lot of damage to the property, though Stonehenge II was undamaged,” wrote an HCAF rep. “The property is closed at this time.”

Actor and rancher Al Sheppard erected the curiosity in 1989 with help from neighbor Doug Hill. As the story goes, Hill gifted Sheppard a limestone slab left over from a patio project. Hill stood it in the middle of his pasture.

“Sheppard and Hill liked the look of the monolith and built an arch around it,” explains signage at the property. “The 13-foot arch reminded them of Stonehenge in England. Soon, a vision formed, and Sheppard contracted Hill to build their very own Stonehenge II.”

The remainder of the stones were made from steel, metal lathe, and plaster, anchored in cement. The full circle is 90 percent as wide as the original and 60 percent as tall.

A few years later, Sheppard visited Rapa Nui, or Easter Island. Two maoi statues were added to the original Hunt, Texas site. After Sheppard’s passing, his family donated the sculptures to HCAF, which moved the massive installation to Ingram in 2012.

Although travel website Far & Wide dubbed it “the most boring tourist trap” in Texas, it has remained a symbol of local pride. HCAF even hosts weddings on the property.

The sense of humor about the sculpture remains in place, even as HCAF’s facilities were ravaged by the violent weather. The foundation acts as a hub of artistic education, theatrical performances, and exhibitions throughout the year.

Arts patrons can help HCAF repair its grounds via its online portal. The nonprofit also recommends donating to the Kerr County Flood Relief Fund through the Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country.

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