Bggest EXPANSION in O'Hare History (Chicago, Rockford: home, construction, taxi)

[edsg25]

Chicago, airlines nearing $8.5 billion deal to dramatically expand O'Hare - Chicago Tribune

[Maintainschaos]

Definitely a good idea in theory. Good to see they are planning on renovating several terminals. Hope they are prepared for the increased air traffic.

[edsg25]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

Definitely a good idea in theory. Good to see they are planning on renovating several terminals. Hope they are prepared for the increased air traffic.

Also good is that it heyare adding on to existing complex rather than building a remote fascility on the western edge of property

[Vlajos]

This is great news and very much needed.

[flamadiddle]

They are getting ready for Amazon HQ2

[Vlajos]

Originally Posted by Maintainschaos

Definitely a good idea in theory. Good to see they are planning on renovating several terminals. Hope they are prepared for the increased air traffic.

That's what all the runway work was for. To allow increased air traffic, no?

[Maintainschaos]

Originally Posted by Vlajos

That's what all the runway work was for. To allow increased air traffic, no?

Yes, to a certain extent, but I think it was also for a more modern and logical runway configuration.

As a frequent flyer in and out of Chicago to visit family, I suppose I was thinking about "they" in a larger sense including, of course, not just runways, but air-traffic control, baggage, gate lifts, etc. I.e., everything that comes with more air traffic.

Also, because I now live in Baltimore, I almost always fly in and out of Midway from BWI, so another consideration is the impact of increased air traffic on the region, including at MDW and MKE, small regional airports like Rockford and Madison, and probably even as far away STL. I joked with my partner (as we both got our graduate degrees from UW-Madison) that they might as well close down Dane County, as increased air traffic in the region from O'Hare may make it a cold day in hell before an airplane can even consider taking off from Madison and enter airspace near Chicago

I think this development will be generally very good for the city. I do, however, imagine there might be growing pains at both O'Hare and other airports in the region during this process. One thing I hope O'Hare gets right: for the love of all that is holy, please DO NOT follow in Midway's steps in "revamping" dining selections at the airport. 26 DDs and a Home Run Inn are not the kinds of food I want before getting on an airplane!

[chet everett]

The impetus for the new runways was less for pure "increased capacity" than to help decrease the headaches caused by having flightpaths for landing / takeoffs as well as taxi-ing planes have to cross in front of one another. There were also substantial limitations that the diagonal configurations caused for development of the potential commercial development of the land around the runways that the east-west configurations open up... Pretty all other major US airports have the e-w configurations. There are some folks that claim the prevailing winds, which often do come from the NW, should have caused the diagonals to remain, but there is not enough data about that issue that is not also influenced by the much more advanced avionics that commercial airliners now utilize.


So long as the City does not incur debt beyond what is likely to be supported by normal revenue streams this expansion seems like a good idea.

Of course the notorious antics of insiders, who often get outsized contracts related to every aspect of the airport, could result in taxpayers being stiffed, long history of that -- O'Hare contract goes to firm run by Daley aide's relatives - tribunedigital-chicagotribune

Ohare cleaning firm violated its own contract

ChicagoClout: Patrick "Phat" Levar Explain this O'Hare Scandal

[City knew O'Hare vendor wasn't minority-run firm - ties to Rezko were obvious - tribunedigital-chicagotribune

New O'Hare Contract Adds Fuel to the Fire: Chicagoist

[pvande55]

I hope it happens. Good jobs during construction, more flight options. Granted, we are not short of jobs now, but this could extend the good times. I just hope United and American don't stop the project. Oh, and the South Suburban Airport is about dead.

[chet everett]

Wonder if this is going to a final tantrum of the "old ways" or the death knell to future plans -- Emanuel vows to push ahead on $8.5B O'Hare expansion as American Airlines decries"secret deal" - Chicago Tribune

There are legendary feuds between American and UAL at ORD, the article from Sunday highlighted how American vetoed plans for repair of emergency roof leaks over the UAL security check points that sent angry fliers scrambling, the two firms just seem opposed to any sort of cooperative approach to improving the place.