Chicago: The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) is ready to welcome approximately 1.6 million travellers to O’Hare and Midway International Airports between Thursday, Sept. 1 and Tuesday, Sept. 6, based on projections from airline carriers.
At O’Hare, the influx of travellers to the Chicagoland area will find the arrivals section of the main terminals free of construction for the first time in more than a year. And for the first time in two years, the 9,300-space O’Hare Main Parking Garage is completely open and ready for travellers.
“The best of Chicago is on display in the final weeks of summertime,” said Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “We’re especially thrilled to welcome visitors at our airports and to our great city during this time so they can experience all that Chicago’s 77 neighbourhoods have to offer.”
Compared to the same Labor Day travel period last year, O’Hare is expected to see a passenger increase of 7.3% and airlines project that Monday, Sept. 5 will be the busiest day. Airlines project that Midway will experience an increase in passengers of approximately 49.9%, with Friday, Sept. 2 being the busiest day.
As a part of the Lower Level Utilities and Pavement Repairs project, crews worked quickly over the past year to complete underground infrastructure work beneath the arrival lanes of Terminals 1, 2 and 3 at O’Hare, installing a new 12-inch water main and new fire hydrants that will be critical in the event of an emergency. Additionally, the reconstruction of roadways and sidewalks includes Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant crosswalks and handrails.
The $48.8 million project was completed in phases in order to maintain the pedestrian connections between the terminal facilities, elevated parking structure, and transportation infrastructure to and from the city.
The newly-repaired roadway supports arriving passengers in the main O’Hare terminals as they transfer to taxis, commercial vehicles, and privately owned vehicles, with dedicated lanes for each of the specific transportation types. Additional ADA compliance work is set to be finished early next year.
“I’m happy to announce the Lower Level Utilities and Pavement Repairs project is nearly completed, and newly reopened lanes will substantially reduce traffic for Chicagoans picking up passengers at O’Hare,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “But it’s always good to plan ahead, and consider using the CTA, the Kiss ‘n’ Fly or our cell phone lots to reduce traffic congestion at both of our hometown airports.”
