An additional $40 million in funding has been announced for the upcoming renovation of Terminal 3 at O’Hare International Airport. We previously covered the renovation nearly a year ago when it originally received $50 million from the 2021 infrastructure bill. Now further dollars have been awarded to the project led by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) with an undisclosed set of designers and engineers.
Terminal 3 map via O’Hare International Airport
The iconic terminal is home to the famous flag corridor seen on Home Alone among other movies, but was originally opened in 1962 when traffic numbers were far different. The four-prong design has its challenges and pinch points as it handles over 350 flights per day mostly on American Airlines and other low-cost carriers. Work is set to begin this spring, completed in phases in order to not disrupt operations.
Interior view of Terminal 3 via Eater
Project scope will include the consolidation of the two existing TSA checkpoints into a larger single access point, a major upgrade to the whole baggage system and its facilities, and 10,000 square feet of new concession and amenity space. This will be partially achieved as the corridor between concourse K and L is tripled in size, the work will also include renovations to the current restrooms and a new family restroom.
Inside Concourse L of Terminal 3 by Adam Fagen
With a summer 2027 completion date, the renovation also comes as American Airlines partners Aer Lingus and British Airways shift their departures from Terminal 5 to 3 in order to create a more seamless experience for passengers. The project has a $200 million price tag, with the additional $40 million also coming from the infrastructure bill, with airline fees covering the rest of the cost.
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How does this relate to the bigger O’Hare project? Will this grant offset some of the cost increases or was this budgeted into the original plan?
Hey Alex, I believe this was in the original O’Hare revamp framework, but budget and planning wise completely separate from the new central terminal.
I thought American and United’s (including their partners) were moving into the new Terminal 2. Is this an interim Terminal 2 solution until it is finished?
Hey Steve, Terminal 2 will be a shared terminal mainly for international operations, it will have around 10-20 gates and serve both of the alliances AA and UA are in. UA and AA will still operate out of their terminals (1 & 3) for almost all of their domestic flights and some international departures as well. So this upgrade along with the work UA is doing on 1 will better position the airport for that.
Any word or site I can visit to get info on the T1 satellites? Google Maps shows work and some holes but a better description and set of renders than the junk on ORD21 would be nice.
Thanks
Hmm, nothing I can find on official sites, I do believe work got started on them but may also be dealing with the hold ups of the new T2. Though I believe a new deal has been reached for it.