Chicago Construction News staff writer
O’Hare International Airport will receive an additional $20 million in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Airport Terminal Program. The grant, part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, brings the total awarded to the airport to $110 million over the past three years.
The funding will support key renovations to the non-secure areas of Terminal 5, including the construction of a pedestrian bridge connecting the terminal to a new parking garage. The grant will also help enclose the terminal’s Airport Transit System platform, expand passenger check-in space, improve circulation in the arrivals and departures areas, and upgrade the security screening checkpoint on the departures level.
“Terminal 5 is Chicago’s gateway to the world, welcoming millions of passengers from all corners of the globe,” said Jamie L. Rhee, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation. “With this funding, we continue to build on the tremendous expansion of Terminal 5 that we launched last year, ensuring a more seamless experience for travelers.”
This new federal investment adds to the $90 million in prior funding O’Hare has received under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which is supporting the $300 million ElevateT3 project to modernize customer amenities, improve airport operations, and expand accessibility for travelers with disabilities.
O’Hare’s ongoing upgrades are part of a broader $1.3 billion effort to enhance the airport’s aging facilities. In recent years, the terminal has undergone renovations, including the modernization of ten gates for Delta Airlines and the 2023 opening of a new 10-gate eastern extension.
“Our city’s largest economic engine not only employs tens of thousands of our residents — it connects more than 70 million travelers to our city and beyond each and every year,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This additional $20 million in federal grant funding is an important investment in our infrastructure, making air travel safer, more efficient and more enjoyable for all.
“I extend my deepest gratitude to the Biden-Harris Administration and the Illinois Congressional Delegation for their continued support of Chicago through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Together, we are ensuring that O’Hare remains a world-class airport that meets the needs of today’s travelers while positioning us for future growth.”
