Transportation

Any business interested in supply chain management or logistics will find Dallas is the ideal partner in global transportation networks. Dallas is the center point of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). A Dallas location provides equal access to North America’s four major business centers: New York, Los Angeles, Toronto and Mexico City, creating the ultimate gateway to North America. Four major interstates and 13 other U. S. state highways come together within the Dallas metropolitan area.

A major asset to the city's logistics functionality is the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (web, map). Over 100 multinational freight forwarders, consolidators and logistics providers operate from the airport.

Dallas Executive Airport (map).

Nine international and 24 domestic airlines serve Dallas, making it possible to fly from Dallas directly to almost any city in the continental U.S. in four hours or less. In addition, Dallas has two municipal airports. Love Field (map) is the headquarters location for Southwest Airlines, the most successful U.S. airline. Love Field is three miles from downtown Dallas and serves as a regional hub for business and commuter travel. Additionally, Dallas Executive (map) is a corporate and private transportation airport in southwestern Dallas.

Three different rail lines are located in Dallas to serve the business community: Burlington Northern Santa Fe, Southern Pacific and Union Pacific. Dallas County is home to one of the worlds most modern intermodal facilities newly opened by Union Pacific Railroad.

A red line DART light rail train (system map) as it leaves Mockingbird Station (map) in North Dallas.

Intercity transportation to meet the needs of the work force is efficently handled by Dallas Area Rapid Transit. DART's services includes 45 miles of light rail service, 35 miles of commuter rail and its operations reach 23 communities.

Global Gateway

Dallas is one of the world’s most vibrant international cities. Capitalizing on its equal distance between east and west coasts, Dallas developed a world class transportation infrastructure making it easy to access all the major cities in North America. As of 2004 there were over 500 logistic firms in the area. This represents 13 percent growth outpacing both the state and national growth rates.

North America’s Superhighway, Interstate 35, connects Canada, the U.S. and Mexico and passes through the center of Dallas. Total trade with Canada and Mexico has grown 75 percent in the last five years.

As NAFTA trade continues to increase, the advantage of a central location will be a key factor in conducting successful international business. Studies predict the Dallas area will be the Western Hemisphere's most important product distribution point early in the 21st century. Already, Dallas is one of the most active centers for distribution, boasting one of the lowest cost structures in the U.S.