Despite some concerns coming from major airline carriers, the long-awaited $8.5 billion expansion of O’Hare International Airport is expected to go on as planned. According to the Chicago Tribune, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Chicago airline carriers have been putting the finishing touches on the plan that was introduced back when Mayor Daley was in office. 

While the expansion will position O’Hare as an even bigger hub for domestic and international travel, the surrounding communities will feel the impact as well. Neighborhoods like Bensenville, Wood Dale, Elk Grove Village, Itasca, and Des Plaines will be impacted by the eight-year project, in both good and bad ways. The plan is the biggest and most expensive reconstruction project in the airport’s 73-year history, and it’s the first major improvement project in 25 years. 

If all goes as planned, both the city and the suburbs will see some changes.

The Good: Easier Commutes to O’Hare

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The Illinois Tollway wants to build a loop around the airport to better control traffic flow. There would be an addition of new entrances and exits along the west end of the airport with a new north-south tollway called I-490. It would link to I-90 to the north and I-294 to the south. Currently, the entrance to the airport sits on the east end near Rosemont within easy access to Chicago.

City dwellers could benefit greatly from the proposed O’Hare express train line, which would cut down the commute between downtown and O’Hare to 20 minutes or less. The high-speed line would be designed, financed, built, operated, and maintained through a public-private partnership with the city. The trains would run every 15 minutes and cost riders more than the CTA but less than a cab or rideshare. Other cities with similar services charge about $30.

The Bad: More Traffic, Noise Pollution

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While there could be more tollways to accommodate the increase in travelers, there would still be more congestion and, of course, construction woes for nearby residents. Officials say that patience is key for both residents and travelers who would have to deal with the process of reconstruction of roads and terminals. 

One of the biggest issues facing nearby residents is noise pollution, which many western communities have witnessed an increase already in the past couple years. The western suburbs and neighborhoods east of O’Hare have complained of increased noise pollution after one of the airport’s diagonal northwest/southwest runways closed in 2015. Another diagonal runway is expected to close this spring, but Al Rapp of Fair Allocation in Runways or FAiR, a group that represents city and suburban residents, told the Tribune he is arguing for the airport to keep the runway as is. 

In the same vein of noise pollution, jet fuel emissions will naturally increase with additional flights. Some are arguing for tighter sulfur limits on jet fuel to help the issue. Brian Urbaszewski, director of environmental health programs at the Respiratory Health Association of Metropolitan Chicago, told the Tribune that the city could lessen pollution by requiring the use of electric-powered airport ground equipment and clean emission construction equipment. 

Most recently, American Airlines voiced opposition to the deal, alleging the Chicago-based United Airlines would benefit most from the expansion. American Airlines’ protest isn’t expected to cause a delay, according to Emanuel. In the long run, the project aims to lessen delays, modernize terminals, and connect Chicago to destinations throughout the world. 

If plans move forward, all the work will be complete by 2026. O’Hare would have 62 percent more terminal space, accommodating millions more passengers per year.