4.1. Planning Context Fort Worth’s transportation planning is shaped by rapid growth and the need to improve mobility and enhance economic competitiveness. The City’s transportation network must accommodate the unique needs of its urban, suburban, and rural communities, balancing diverse land uses and infrastructure development to meet growing population demands. Fort Worth spans 359 square miles, nearly half of which is vacant or underdeveloped. While Fort Worth is the country’s 11th largest city in the United States, it ranks 24th of the 30 largest US cities in terms of population density. Since as early as the 1870s, Fort Worth positioned itself as a transportation hub capitalizing on investments in transportation systems as an impetus for growth. Investments in intersecting highways, namely I-35W, I-30, and I-820, public transit, and freight improved regional connectivity, spurring city-wide growth and economic activity. However, without a whole-systems approach, incremental growth outpaced network connectivity, resulting in incomplete links that slow trips and limit travel choices.
Looking forward, the City’s transportation network must evolve to meet this growth. Now is the time for Fort Worth to take a Generational Leap into becoming a World Class City Anchoring a Megaregion.
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Fort Worth Master Transportation Plan | Existing Conditions
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