FAA Endorses O'Hare Expansion Plan

Posted on Sat, 30 Jul 2005 17:49:54 GMT

The Federal Aviation Administration on Thursday endorsed Chicago's $15 billion plan to expand O'Hare Airport to relieve congestion and reduce the worst flight delays in the nation.  Click on Read more for the full story.

Mayor Richard Daley said construction would begin immediately upon receiving final approval, which is expected next month.

"When we reduce delays at O'Hare, it will speed up air travel throughout the nation, saving millions of dollars in time and fuel," Daley said.

The plan calls for building new runways and taxiways and reconfiguring others. The first new runway would open in 2007 and construction would be complete in 2013.

The project could still face legal challenges from opponents who claim the city has exaggerated the benefits and lowballed the cost.

"You cannot approve a project that can't be paid for and would cause more delays than it solves," said Joe Karaganis, an attorney for Elk Grove Village and Bensenville, suburbs that have fiercely fought O'Hare expansion for decades.

The U.S. Transportation Department ranked O'Hare last in on-time departures and arrivals in 2004. Thirty percent of flights arrived late that year.

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