North Texans need to change their transportation strategies, because Grapevine can't endure another major project like the DFW Connector project Mayor William D. Tate said at a ceremony Wednesday celebrating substantial completion of the $1.1 billion road project.

"It took all we had to get this project done," Tate said, noting that businesses suffered and some shut down.

"We can beat our chest and celebrate, but if we don't change our lifestyles we will be back where we were—up the creek without a paddle," he said.

Tate and other dignitaries, including Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez spoke to a crowd gathered in the heat under a tent at the offices of NorthGate Constructors in Grapevine. The project finished under budget and nine months ahead of schedule.

"You don't see that often on major, major projects like this," Mendez said.

TxDOT Executive Director Phil Wilson said the Connector included 39 bridges and more than 100 retaining walls along its 8.4 miles, doubles the number of main traffic lanes and adds two toll lanes in either direction.

The toll lanes are not yet operating. Substantial completion means the road is built and major features are open, but some work remains to be done.

Other officials at the ceremony included U.S. Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Dallas; DFW International Airport CEO Jeff Fegan; Southlake Mayor John Terrell; Tarrant County Judge Glenn Whitely; and Tarrant County Commissioner Gary Fickes.

They gathered afterward in front of a huge excavator and cut a ribbon.