Full Speed Ahead

O’hare International Airport celebrates the completion of its modernization program, among other exciting developments.

DESPITE THE SUBSTANTIAL impact of the pandemic on the aviation industry, Chicago is excited about the future of air travel and is working just as hard as before to invest in its airport infrastructure. The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) recently joined government officials and airline executives at O’hare International Airport to celebrate the completion of the O’hare Modernization Program, or OMP. This concludes the 16-year, $6 billion investment that transforms the airfield into a modern configuration, reduces delays and paves the way for future terminal redevelopment. It’s a tremendous achievement for the airport and one of the largest runway reconfiguration projects in the world. The development incorporated the construction of four new runways, the extensions to two existing runways, the building of two new airport traffic control towers and the relocation of numerous facilities at O’hare International Airport. The most recent project extends Runway 9R-27L by approximately 3,290 feet to make it 11,260 feet and the second-longest runway on the O’hare airfield. Since the beginning of OMP, national airspace system impact delays attributable to O’hare reduced by 64 percent. Further the investment led to the creation of tens of thousands of jobs and work for diverse businesses of all sizes. The completed runway reconfiguration also offers a more balanced airfield with three runways on the north airfield, three on the south airfield and two crosswind runways. This gives the airport more options in the airport’s constructive dialogue with regional leaders to ensure no community takes the brunt of runway noise. To commemorate the accomplishment, a set of murals were painted by teens at a program held with the Chicago Park District as part of First Lady Amy Eshleman’s My CHI. My Future program. The free summer series connected Chicago’s youth with safe and engaging spaces throughout 15 communities across the south and west sides and featured activities, games, food and more. The murals will go on display at O’hare. These final phases of OMP are part of the O’hare 21 capital program — Chicago’s vision for a modern airport that will be an efficient and accessible international gateway to the world and to Chicago. Through this $8.5 billion investment, O’hare will be transformed from curb to gate and meet the needs of the traveling public through the 21st century and beyond.