07.07.11

Durbin and Kirk Announce $50 Million in DOT Funding for O'Hare Runway Construction

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mark Kirk (R-IL) today announced the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $50 million grant to Chicago O'Hare International Airport for runway construction. This announcement comes after the $1.17 billion agreement in March of this year between the City of Chicago and American and United Airlines that allowed the O’Hare Modernization Program to move forward.

 

“The O'Hare Modernization Program is a project of national economic significance,” said Durbin. “The construction of a new runway at O’Hare will reduce flight delays and improve efficiency for traveling and shipping throughout the country.”

 

"O'Hare Modernization benefits not only Chicago, but the entire country," Senator Kirk said.  "This funding will improve and solidify O'Hare Airport's ability to function as a central hub for American transportation, and it will provide a much-needed economic boost for the State of Illinois."

 

The DOT funding is the first release of construction funding for the 10R/28L Runway.  This runway is part of Phase Two of the O’Hare Modernization Program, managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation. On completion of the one of the largest construction projects in the country at one of the world’s busiest airports, O’Hare will have a total of eight modern runways.