Construction of Airport Freeway

Construction of Airport Freeway

Image by Euless Historical Preservation Committee
When Euless was incorporated in 1953, there was only one paved highway connecting it with adjoining communities. This was State Highway 183 which later was re-designated and today is Stage Highway 10, also known as Euless Boulevard. What is today designated as State Highway 183, or Airport Freeway, as it passes through Euless was built in 1969. When it was built it passed through tunnels that crossed under the runways of Great Southwest Airport on the east side of Euless. In 1989 when Airport Freeway east of State Highway 360 was widened to six lanes, TxDot removed the old runway tunnel marking the end of an historic area.

This photograph looks west from what today is the intersection of Fuller – Wiser and Airport Freeway. Slightly to the right of center the east side of the Methodist Church is visible. At this time the population of Euless was about 5,000 people. The main intersection and center of business activity was the intersection of what today is Main Street and Euless Boulevard (Highway 10).

When Airport Freeway was constructed, several buildings were demolished to make way for the road. Among them were eight homes and five commercial structures.

Traffic Count on Airport Freeway has increased dramatically since it was built In 1971 there were 8,300 vehicles a day passing through Euless on this highway. In 2006 this had increased to 140,000 vehicles each day.

There are four closed circuit video cameras and four electronic message boards on the highway within the City of Euless.