Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has finalized a Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) agreement of $1.455 billion with AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, the lead contractor for O’Hare International Airport’s New Concourse D, marking a major milestone in the airport’s sweeping modernization program.
The agreement establishes a firm cost ceiling for the 19-gate facility—the largest new passenger concourse to be built at O’Hare in more than three decades—and comes in at least $21 million below the project’s approved budget. Reached less than a year after construction began, the deal provides financial certainty for the airport’s airline partners while advancing the city’s broader $8.78 billion ORDNext modernization program.
“As ORDNext moves from planning to visible progress, this agreement is clear evidence that we are delivering one of the most important investments in Chicago history with discipline, partnership and momentum,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “By locking in a price cap $21 million below budget for The New Concourse D, we are giving our airline partners cost certainty, giving passengers a clearer path to a modernized O’Hare, and giving Chicago confidence that this historic program is moving forward responsibly.”
Concourse D is the first major construction phase of ORDNext, a long-term initiative that will reshape the airport by adding two new satellite concourses and replacing Terminal 2 with the new O’Hare Global Terminal. The modernization is designed to expand gate capacity, improve passenger connectivity, and reinforce O’Hare’s position as one of the world’s leading aviation hubs.
“This agreement pairs cost certainty with construction momentum, giving our partners, passengers, and the public confidence that the future of O’Hare is taking shape,” said CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray.
Unlike many large public infrastructure projects, ORDNext is being financed entirely through airport-generated revenue, including airline rates and charges, landing fees, and other airport revenues. City officials emphasized that no state or local taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the program.
Major airline partners American Airlines and United Airlines welcomed the agreement, highlighting the importance of continued investment in their Chicago operations.
“For 100 years, we’ve proudly served Chicago and helped make O’Hare a leading global airport — and Concourse D is the next step forward,” said Amanda Zhang, American Airlines’ Vice President of Corporate Real Estate. She added that the project strengthens the airline’s Chicago hub while enhancing the experience for customers and employees.
