09.13.16

Durbin, Emanuel Announce More Than $30.5 Million For Chicago Airports

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Transportation, has awarded O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport grants totaling $30,577,891. These allocations will help fund or reimburse airport improvement projects, noise mitigation efforts, and an environmental impact study.
  
“This is good news for both residents and travelers flying in and out of Chicago’s airports,” said Senator Durbin. “These investments by the FAA will allow O’Hare and Midway to continue serving passengers safely and effectively, and also ensure that they remain good neighbors to the communities that surround them.”
  
“This federal funding will help us in our ongoing efforts to ensure that O'Hare and Midway remain economic engines for the City of Chicago,” said Mayor Emanuel.
  
Under this announcement, O’Hare will receive the following grants:

·         $8,689,000 to fund the rehabilitation of 9,200 feet of Runway 10L/28R to maintain its structural integrity and minimize debris;
·         $3,587,891 to purchase low-emission airport electric charging stations to support the Voluntary Airport Low Emissions (VALE) program at O’Hare;
·         $801,000 in reimbursement funding for Phase II of the re-evaluation of the O’Hare Modernization Environmental Impact Statement.
 
The VALE grant funding would allow the Chicago Department of Aviation to acquire and install 124 electric charging stations at O’Hare. These would allow for the acquisition of 127 airline electric ground support equipment (eGSE) units, including 75 cargo tractors, 48 belt loaders, and 4 aircraft tractors. These GSE units would replace an equivalent number (127) of fossil fuel (gasoline and diesel) units currently in operation at O’Hare. The proposed project would therefore eliminate emissions associated with operating gasoline- and diesel-powered GSE units.
 
Additionally, under this announcement, Midway will receive $17,500,000 in reimbursement funding for sound insulation on residences within 65-69 Day/Night Noise Level (DNL). This noise mitigation project is being completed in accordance with the Midway Part 150 Noise Compatibility Plan and has benefited a total of 1,635 people.