Chicago Mayor announces O'Hare Airport T5 expansion and T2 redevelopment

US' Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced (15-Jul-2016) the City of Chicago and its airline partners are working together to design and develop the capital investment programme at Chicago O'Hare International Airport that expands T5, redevelops T2, creates space for new gates, and support tens of thousands of jobs and economic opportunities in Chicago. Mayor Emanuel said the initiatives serve as the next step in the 'O'Hare 21' vision plan. The planning process is expected to be completed next year. The first step of this programme calls for expanding T5 by 25% to provide up to nine additional gates, which is underway. This represents the first expansion of T5 since it opened 23 years ago. This investment - estimated at approximately USD300 million and funded without any local taxpayer dollars - will support approximately 1100 total jobs. The programme also currently envisions redeveloping T2 into a new central terminal within the existing terminal complex. With a new terminal at the centre of the airport, arriving passengers will be able to exit the airport faster and connect to other flights with greater ease. Amenities in the new terminal could include a new CBP facility, a departure hall with additional space for TSA passenger screening, concessions, and passenger amenities. In addition to the new central terminal, the planning contemplates new concourses to be constructed to the west as airline passenger demand dictates. The City and the airlines continue to evaluate the best alternatives for accommodating growth, and the programme will evolve through further planning and negotiations. Mayor Rahm Emanuel said, "This is an important step forward in our ongoing work to ensure that O'Hare serves as the economic engine for the people of Chicago and an international gateway for travelers around the world". [more - original PR] [more - original PR II]