A revised timeline and further details have been revealed for the next phase of the massive ORDNext program across O’Hare International Airport. The shift in timeline comes as the airport continues to see record levels of traffic and delays due to gate availability and weather disruptions. The changes in phasing will allow for more gates to open earlier.
Rendering of Concourse D via CDA
Concourse D – Ongoing, late 2028 completion
As we previously covered, work is well underway and has gone vertical for the first phase of the larger project. The 580,000-square-foot, 19-gate concourse will be connected to the existing Concourse C and hold a mix of wide- and narrowbody aircraft. The structure will contain a large new lounge, a central atrium, and control tower, and be able to hold international arrivals in the future.
Rendering of Concourse D and full Concourse E via CDA
Concourse E – Phase one, 2026-2030 | Phase 2, 2033-2034
Previously, plans called for the Global Terminal to break ground next, replacing the existing Terminal 2. However, to further accommodate the gates that will be lost, the city and airport have confirmed they will now shift towards building the first half of Concourse E next instead. Set to break ground later this year, the new structure will sit further to the west.
Rendering of Concourse D and partial Concourse E via CDA
Built in two parts, the northern half will break ground this fall and open in 2030 to allow for the full demolition of Terminal 2. This portion will hold 14 narrowbody gates and connect to the rest of the airfield via an underground connector tunnel. As construction winds down on the Global Terminal, the second half of Concourse E would break ground.
Rendering of Concourse E phase one and phase two via CDA
This second half would bring 10 additional gates for a total of 24 and 460,000 square feet of space. The concourse would be able to handle regional, narrowbody, and pre-cleared narrowbody flights such as Canada. It would also hold various concessions, new lounge space, and support facilities for its using carriers.
Rendering of O’Hare Global Terminal by Studio Gang
Global Terminal – 2029-2033
The centerpiece of the ORDNext program is the new Global Terminal designed by local architecture firm Studio Gang. The massive structure will finally bring a new central immigration checkpoint to the core terminals, allowing for international arrivals from both hub carriers. While the design is still in flux, previous plans call for 2.2 million square feet and 11 gates.
Rendering of Concourse D by SOM, Ross Barney, Arup, and JGMA
ORDNext Tunnel Project – Ongoing
Connecting the new Global Terminal to the two new concourses will be a new central underground tunnel. Work is already underway for this connector, which will allow for baggage, utilities, deliveries, and passengers to move between the structures. It will originally open with walkways but is being built to hold a people mover in the future.
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The massive $8.8 billion project is currently on schedule and within budget. The timeline also aligns with the potential new O’Hare Flyer high-speed train to downtown, which was announced late last month. Additionally, the airport is working on a large renovation of Terminal 3 known as Elevate T3, which is set to be fully completed in 2027 and bring 10,000 square feet of new space.
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Can ORD release some damn construction pics? We do not need dailies but some milestones would be nice.
Grow up
Only one of the two posts above sounds immature. But one point for brevity’s sake.
This seems to be a relatively good value at $8.8 billion dollars compared to 5 miles of CTA Red line for $5.5 billion
My same thoughts
The cost of both seems about what I would expect, based on similar projects. And reality.
don’t forget, one of those projects will be used by millions of people, the other will be used by 10’s of people.
why isn’t a terminal 4 in the plan?
U post only what ur politics accepts. Sad. When other views might be just what the city needs. And of course u won’t post this either.