An updated timeline has been revealed for the massive expansion of O’Hare International Airport as the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) begins funding efforts. Announced back in 2018, earlier this year the city reached a resolution with airlines on a new phasing plan for construction as costs continue to balloon with inflation.
Airfield reconfiguration diagram via City of Chicago. Building footprints do not reflect final designs
Rendering of O’Hare Global Terminal by Studio Gang
Initially the airport expected to build two remote/satellite concourses, a connecting tunnel, and the central Global Terminal in that order. However, cost discussions led to a change in priorities, with Satellite Concourse 1 designed by SOM, Ross Barney Architects, Arup, and JGMA going up first. This will be followed by the Studio Gang designed Global Terminal replacing Terminal 2.
O’Hare carrier market over the years via City of Chicago
O’Hare construction timeline via City of Chicago
New city bond documents show that work on Satellite Concourse 1 will be completed in 2028, with the Global Terminal on track for its formerly announced 2032 date. From there things will accelerate with the construction of the aforementioned connection tunnel and people mover within it as well as Satellite Concourse 2 being completed in 2034.
Rendering of Satellite Concourse 1 via CDA
Rendering of Satellite Concourse 1 connection via CDA
Once fully completed, the airport will gain roughly 25-percent more gate capacity and finally a second customs and immigration checkpoint. Creating the nation’s first airline alliance centric terminal, the space will allow for growth from both of the city’s hub airlines United and American, who announced new flights to Madrid earlier this week.
Rendering of Satellite Concourse 1 via CDA
Rendering of Satellite Concourse 1 via CDA
Additionally, the city also opened up bidding for a large portion of the concessions within Terminals 1 and 3 that are currently run by just two operators. This will allow for 21 new contracts relating to 75 eateries, 34 stores, and three duty-free shops according to Crain’s. Contracts for Terminal 2 were excluded as demolitions will commence in the next few years.
Rendering of Satellite Concourse 1 via CDA
Currently site prep has started for Satellite Concourse 1, with temporary bridges and large trench drains already being put into place for some of the upcoming tarmac work. This all comes as the city has begun offering $1 billion in bonds to fund the massive terminal redevelopment. With that, construction on Satellite Concourse 1 should fully kick off next year.
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Boy was I wrong. I thought all the ongoing extension work for 390 and the creation of 490 meant that the proposed western employee parking and screening facility was actually going to be another terminal for travelers (especially those coming from the western burbs), and that the consolidated tunnel would connect the whole thing. Hmmm.
2032?? Pathetic!! Have a little more ambition than that. Especially when you started looking at doing this 6 years ago!
2032? Try 2034 assuming no further delays.
They usually do this within a year, from design to completion, in China.
I nearly tore my ACL running to the comments on this post
They are doing a massive 3 Billion airport expansion in Dallas at DFW on a much faster time line. This is an example of when you have a pro business city/ state vs a multi layered bureaucracy with the City of Chicago and the State of Illinois. We attract business when we offer massive tax incentives.
Chicago politics and union contracts are destroying this. This will never be built as originally proposed. What a waste.