Chicago Construction News staff writer
The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and its partners in construction and cargo celebrated a significant milestone recently, with completion of O’Hare International Airport’s Northeast Cargo campus.
“O’Hare is a cornerstone of our region’s economy, and its cargo operations are a vital component of that engine,” said Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson. “The new cargo facilities enhance Chicago’s ability to import and distribute essential goods nationwide while creating valuable job opportunities for our local communities.
“Under the leadership of Bowa Construction, one of our leading Black-led contracting firms, we continue to make strides in building a stronger, more equitable Chicago.”
The third and final phase of construction, developed by Realterm, officially opened last year, with minor final touches completed this year, adding 130,000 square feet and two additional aircraft parking positions to the existing cargo area.
“Air cargo is a significant economic engine for O’Hare and our great city,” said Tim Scholten, senior vice president of BOWA Construction. “To experience the Northeast Air Cargo facility in full operational mode is such a proud moment for the BOWA team and all our construction partners.
“Many thanks to Commissioner Rhee and CDA for all their support.”
The new site can handle up to a dozen jumbo freighters daily and process over 100,000 metric tonnes of cargo annually and features more than 2,500 solar panels, capable of generating approximately 1.25 million kilowatt-hours of electricity each year.
Phase III achieved a participation rate of 55 percent for minority- and women-owned businesses, with over $23 million of the project’s $43 million cost allocated to diverse firms. The expansion created 340 full-time construction jobs and an additional 180 permanent positions at the facility.
“Witnessing the Northeast Cargo facility in full operation is a proud moment for the Bowa team and all our partners. We appreciate the support from Commissioner Rhee and the CDA throughout this journey,” said Tim Scholten, senior vice president at Bowa Construction.
“The grand opening of this state-of-the-art cargo facility is the result of years of hard work and collaboration with our valued partners,” said David Rose, Managing Director of Realterm. “This project not only strengthens O’Hare’s position as a leading global cargo hub but also stimulates local job creation and economic growth.
“We’re honored to contribute to enhancing international trade connectivity and fostering inclusive contracting.”
The first two phases of the Northeast Cargo campus were completed in 2016 and 2017, respectively. With the entire facility now spanning approximately 900,000 square feet, it supports parking for 13 jumbo freighters and approximately 2,200 cargo jobs on site.
Worldwide Flight Services (WFS), a part of the SATS group, will operate the Phase III cargo handling. AGI, DHL, and Swissport are handling operations in Phases I and II.
Michael Simpson, CEO for WFS in North America, remarked, “We are proud to be part of O’Hare’s growth as a leading global cargo hub. The expansion of the Northeast Cargo campus enhances our capacity to manage increasing freight volumes and highlights the crucial role O’Hare plays in connecting Chicago to the world.”
In 2023, O’Hare processed over 1.9 million tonnes of freight, continuing its trend of record-breaking cargo volumes since the pandemic. The airport, which serves over 30 cargo airlines and handles freight from passenger jets, remains the top cargo airport in the U.S. by trade value, processing approximately $300 billion in trade annually. Cargo operations at O’Hare support around 5,000 jobs directly, with thousands more throughout the region linked to the airport’s global cargo role.
