O’Hare Modernization Program

The O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) is one of the largest construction projects in the country at one of the world’s busiest airports, and is managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA).

The OMP is transforming O’Hare International Airport’s airfield from a system of intersecting runways into a modern parallel runway configuration, to reduce flight delays and increase capacity well into the future.

When the OMP is complete, O’Hare will have eight runways - six will be east-west parallel runways and two crosswind runways.

As part of the modernization program, a new passenger terminal is proposed on the west side of the airport to create a new entrance to O’Hare and a more balanced, efficient airport for the region.

Three major OMP infrastructure projects have already been completed.

In 2008, the OMP opened a 3,000-foot extension to O’Hare’s busiest runway – Runway 10/28 - , a new runway and a new air traffic control tower. All three projects opened on or ahead of schedule, and nearly $40 million under budget.

The two runway projects have already had a considerable and positive impact on operations at O’Hare and the U.S. Aviation System.

A third runway project, Runway 10C-28C, is now under construction. It will be an Airplane Design Group VI capable runway, built to accommodate new aircraft, such as the Boeing 747-8 and Airbus A-380.

While this work takes place, design and planning work is underway for the completion phase of the OMP, which includes:

• Two new runways
• The extension of an existing runway
• Construction of several enabling projects; and
• Construction of a new Western Terminal facility.

Construction on the new runway components will begin in 2011.

The OMP has truly been our region’s economic stimulus package for the past seven years - putting thousands of people to work, rebuilding our infrastructure and keeping businesses in our City and our state.

To find out about bid opportunities, please go to our Doing Business section.

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