$1.17 Billion Project Will Construct Next Phase Of O'Hare
Modernization
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray
LaHood (pictured, right), Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley,
executives from United Airlines and American Airlines and U.S.
Senators Richard Durbin and Mark Kirk announced a $1.17 billion
agreement on Monday that will allow the O'Hare Modernization
Program to move forward, add runway capacity, and prevent flight
delays from growing to unacceptable levels. With this agreement
between the City of Chicago and American and United Airlines in
place, work can begin on an additional south runway, as well as
other airfield improvements needed to deal with increasing traffic
at the airport.
With 64 million yearly passengers connecting to 130 domestic
airports, the O'Hare Modernization Program is a project of national
economic significance that will help ensure America can win the
future by moving people and goods more quickly and efficiently to
destinations across the country. The O'Hare Modernization Program,
managed by the Chicago Department of Aviation, is one of the
largest construction projects in the country at one of the world's
busiest airports. The first phase of the program, which is still
under construction, includes two new runways, a runway extension,
and a new air traffic control tower. When the program is complete,
O'Hare will have eight modern runways, reducing flight delays and
improving efficiency for travelers throughout the country.
"This is a landmark achievement that will benefit air travelers
throughout the entire nation," said U.S. Transportation Secretary
Ray LaHood. "Making improvements to O'Hare will not only reduce
flight delays and improve service for air passengers across
America, it will ensure one of our busiest airports continues to
thrive economically in the future."
"O'Hare International Airport is the economic engine that drives
the economy of our city, our region and our state and connects
Chicago to the world. Unless we continue to modernize its
infrastructure and operations, we will lose our competitive edge in
the global economy," said Mayor Daley. "That's why I am so pleased
that the City has reached agreement with American and United
Airlines on a way to proceed immediately with the completion phase
of the O'Hare Modernization Program (OMP). The OMP keeps businesses
thriving, residents working and our economy growing. I would like
to thank United States Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, Senator
Richard Durbin, Senator Mark Kirk, and our airline partners for
their hard work and cooperation in coming to this agreement."
"I want to thank Mayor Daley for working with us to reach an
agreement that helps fulfill our shared vision for a world-class
airport for our hometown, while recognizing the economic realities
we all face," said Jeff Smisek, president and CEO of United
Airlines. "I also want to thank Secretary LaHood and his team who
worked tirelessly with the airlines and the Mayor's team to bring
us together. We are grateful for the involvement of Senators Durbin
and Kirk and for the federal support that makes this project
possible. Finally, I also want to thank the many civic leaders of
Chicago, especially Lester Crown, who have been dedicated to
ensuring fiscally responsible development at O'Hare."
Senator Durbin
"We appreciate the extraordinary efforts of Secretary Ray LaHood
and Senators Dick Durbin and Mark Kirk of Illinois, in helping to
reach an agreement that carefully balances the legitimate concerns
of all the parties, allows us to move forward in a deliberate and
prudent way, and resolves our legal disputes," said Gerard Arpey,
Chairman and CEO of American Airlines. "Today we reaffirm our
support of Mayor Daley and our shared vision for a world-class
airport at O'Hare. At the same time, the parties have crafted a
plan that recognizes the turbulent conditions of our industry and
allows us to continue a dialogue with the City over the best timing
and pacing of construction going forward. As a result, we believe
this agreement will benefit consumers, our shareholders and
employees and the communities that we serve throughout the country
for years to come."
"Shortly after the lawsuit against the city was filed, Senator
Kirk and I met with airlines and encouraged them to sit down with
the city and work out an agreement," said Durbin. "There were many
who were skeptical that a deal could be reached, but fortunately
Mayor Daley was not one of them. I commend him and the CEO's of
both airlines for their commitment to working hard to resolve their
differences outside the courtroom. I also want to thank Secretary
LaHood for engaging and bringing everyone together to reach today's
deal - which is good news for the City of Chicago."
Senator Kirk
"The O'Hare Modernization Program is one of the most important
economic development projects in the nation," Sen. Kirk said. "The
deal negotiated by the City of Chicago and the airlines means
runway expansion will continue without missing this summer's
construction season. More importantly, a path is created to finish
this important initiative that will help northern Illinois attract
new businesses and create high-quality jobs. I'd like to thank
Secretary LaHood and his team for brokering this agreement that
ensures O'Hare will continue as one of the nation's preeminent
airports."
The construction schedule presented Monday will accommodate the
increasing activity without creating significant delays for
passengers. The parties have agreed to return to the table no later
than March 1, 2013 to negotiate the terms and timing of the
remaining airfield components of the O'Hare Modernization
Program.