City and state officials break ground on O’Hare T3 renovations

Mayor Johnson joined Senator Durbin, Senator Duckworth, Representative Garcia, and the FAA to break ground on the approximately $300 million ElevateT3 project, a massive investment in the airport’s aging terminal facilities supported by $90 million in grant funding from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). 

“Today marks a significant step forward in redefining the travel experience at O'Hare International Airport through the ElevateT3 project,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This transformative initiative not only boosts our infrastructure but also strengthens Chicago's position as a global aviation leader, thanks to substantial support from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.”

“Supported by funding from the Biden-Harris Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the Terminal 3 Improvements will include the latest technology, provide enhanced energy efficiencies and reduced emissions,” said FAA Associate Administrator for Airports, Shannetta R. Griffin, P.E. “This project will have a significant impact on the people who travel in and out of Chicago O’Hare and change the lives of those in the Chicago community as a whole.”

ElevateT3 is a key pillar of O’Hare 21, Chicago’s vision to transform the country’s best-connected airport into an efficient and accessible international gateway for the 21st century. The construction work that is now underway will upgrade customer amenities, improve security screening and airport operations, and expand accessibility for passengers with disabilities at Terminal 3.

Upgrades include the reconfiguration of two Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoints into a single screening area, providing space for modern and more efficient equipment; an expanded passenger corridor between Concourse K and Concourse L, tripling the current corridor’s width; the expansion of the holdroom space at Gates K1 and L2A, dramatically improving the passenger experience; a reconfigured baggage claim area and other upgrades to the terminal's baggage facilities and systems that provide sortation for departing passenger baggage; the development of approximately 10,000 square feet of new concessions and amenity spaces; renovated restrooms and a new family restroom; and renovations of the terminal’s interior and exterior structures and systems, which will improve overall energy efficiency.

Part of the $300 million project will be financed by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law through two competitive grant awards announced over the past two years — a 2023 grant valued at $50 million and a 2024 grant totaling $40 million. Each amount was the largest single grant awarded to any airport in America through the Airport Terminal Program over the past two years. The balance of the Terminal 3 upgrade will be paid for by previously allocated federal funds and airline rates and charges.

“With today’s official groundbreaking, we’re embarking on a journey towards enhancing the efficiency, safety, and accessibility of one of the busiest airports in the world,” said U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). “Thanks to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this initiative will not only create thousands of jobs, but it will also bolster our economy and invest in the future success of O’Hare, the state, and the region.”

Construction work will be performed by COT3 as Construction Manager At-Risk (CMAR). The company is a joint venture of Clark Construction and W.E. O’Neil. The project is expected to last for just over three years, with an anticipated completion date of summer 2027. Construction will take a phased approach to allow continuous operations throughout Terminal 3 during construction.