by The Chicago Times Staff
June 4, 2022
CHICAGO — The Chicago Department of Aviation announced Thursday that construction will start on a new, six-story parking garage that will service the expanded Terminal 5. The $1 billion investment is expected to double the amount of available parking at the terminal.
“O’Hare is the world’s gateway to Chicago, and nowhere is that more true than Terminal 5. These ground transportation and curbside improvements will ensure visitors to our city have a world-class experience from the moment their bags hit the ground to the moment they are whisked away by plane, train or automobile.” Mayor Lori Lightfoot said in a statement.
The parking expansion is expected to be completed in 2024. The construction is part of the larger O’Hare 21 initiative, which hopes to create efficient transportation experience for travelers from curb to gate across the entire airport property.
“These construction projects admittedly create disruptions to airport operations, but they are essential to providing safe, secure, and passenger-friendly facilities well in the future. Investment in our airports creates jobs, business opportunities and economic development in addition to future benefits for those traveling through our airports.” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee.
The Terminal 5 Garage project is led by joint venture AECOM Hunt Clayco BOWA as Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) and supported by 60 participating contractors, including 14 MBE and 14 WBE firms.
According to a press release, “O’Hare visitors picking up friends or family arriving in Terminal 5 during the ongoing construction are encouraged to wait in the free Cell Phone Lot at 560 N. Bessie Coleman Drive. The Cell Phone Lot provides a designated area for all airport visitors to wait in their cars until arriving passengers call them for curbside pickup.
Visitors seeking short-term parking to meet passengers arriving at Terminal 5 can also use hourly parking at the Main O’Hare Parking Garage, which costs only $3 for the first hour. From any of the main terminals, visitors can take a short ride on the Airport Transit System (ATS) to Terminal 5. Parking customers are always encouraged to check real-time parking lot status and capacity at FlyChicago.com prior to arriving at the airport.”
It is expected that the Terminal 5 extension will open this fall, with additional renovations opening in phases throughout 2023. Planners believe the revamped Terminal 5 will increase passenger amenity space by 66% and replace the existing baggage handling system to ensure Terminal 5 provides a world-class passenger experience for both domestic and international travelers.
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