Chicago City Wire

Chicago officials have started construction on the New Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, a $1.3 billion project marking the first major step in the airport’s terminal expansion. The initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize O’Hare and maintain Chicago’s position as a key player in global aviation.

Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in O’Hare for Chicago’s economic future. “To maintain Chicago’s global leadership in the 21st century, we must continue investing in O’Hare, our region’s most powerful economic engine,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “With construction now underway on The New Concourse D, my administration is committed to building upon the airport’s legacy by delivering modern, world-class facilities that will elevate the passenger experience at America’s best-connected hub.”

Commissioner Michael McMurray of the Chicago Department of Aviation described this as an important move forward for both travelers and airport operations. “By breaking ground on Concourse D, we are taking a critical first step toward enhancing how the airport welcomes and serves more than 80 million passengers each year,” said Commissioner McMurray. “We are also proud to introduce ORDNext, a new stage of development in the O’Hare 21 capital program that will elevate the passenger experience, improve connections between domestic and international flights, and increase the airport's footprint to accommodate future growth. I’m grateful to our hub carriers for making this investment on behalf of the passengers we are proud to serve every day. I look forward to a continued partnership rooted in shared responsibility and a commitment to delivering this project with care, fiscal discipline, and a minimal impact on airport operations.”

The New Concourse D will provide 19 gates designed mainly for narrow-body aircraft but can be reconfigured so that 18 gates convert into nine wide-body gates if needed. Planned amenities include over 20,000 square feet dedicated to lounges, 30,000 square feet for commercial use, and a children’s play area.

Airline executives highlighted their companies’ long-standing ties with O’Hare and support for its expansion plans. Scott Kirby, CEO of United Airlines, stated: “As Chicago’s hometown airline, O'Hare has long been at the center of United's story. Today's groundbreaking comes amid our historic growth in this city as United is flying a record number of passengers, hiring thousands of new, local employees and providing customers with the largest and ever-expanding network from Chicago,” he said. “Through the continued partnership with Mayor Johnson and Commissioner McMurray, we will work to ensure this project not only modernizes O'Hare but also strengthens the airport as a global gateway connecting Chicago to the world.”

Steve Johnson from American Airlines added: “American Airlines has proudly served Chicago for nearly a century. That long-standing legacy fuels our investment and growth at O’Hare and underscores our commitment to Chicago — the customers and team members who call it home, the businesses that make it move and the communities that help it thrive,” he said. “We are proud to join our partners in this project as we mark a major milestone in the future of O’Hare that will keep the airport at the forefront of customer experience, operational efficiency and modern design — while revolutionizing international connections and making the travel journey seamless for our customers. Thank you to the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation, especially Mayor Johnson and Commissioner McMurray, for a strong partnership and their dedication to ensuring the nation’s only dual-hub airport will lead the way in global aviation well into the future.”

The northern end of Concourse D features an atrium-like space rising 40 feet high with an oculus skylight bringing daylight into all three levels below.

Architectural renderings were produced by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) alongside Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects (JGMA), and Arup. SOM Design Partner Scott Duncan commented: “From the skylit-tunnel connection to the orchard-inspired columns, the new concourse will offer bright, soaring spaces for passengers and enable world-class operations for airlines,” he said. “We’re proud to be leading this bold new vision for O’Hare and to deliver such a complex project on budget for the City of Chicago.”

Concourse D is scheduled for completion by late 2028; further planned projects include replacing Terminal 2 with an expanded Global Terminal; building another satellite concourse (Concourse E) with 24 additional gates; as well as constructing an underground tunnel linking various parts of these expanded facilities.

These developments form part of an $8.2 billion Terminal Area Plan initiated in 2018 aimed at preparing O’Hare for future needs.

Recent years have seen progress under Mayor Johnson's administration including improvements such as upgrades at Terminal 5—with ten new gates added—and significant investments like ElevateT3 ($300 million) focused on existing facilities.

Diversity remains central during construction: minority- or women-owned business participation reached 37% by May 2025 within these programs; job creation tied directly to Concourse D alone is expected to exceed 3,800 positions.

Site preparation began two years ago involving temporary taxiways plus other enabling works; full-scale vertical construction is expected next spring following six months’ excavation.

The city previously selected AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa as Construction Manager At-Risk for these efforts; bid opportunities remain available online via ORD21.com/bids.

High-resolution architectural images can be accessed at https://som.box.com/s/ghkn7cvsfu8lp804gfrzzkj89ubrgvzc