Balmoral Avenue extension from Rosemont to O'Hare opens
A new four-lane roadway extension from Rosemont leading to O'Hare International Airport opened Monday.
Officials from Rosemont, the Chicago Department of Aviation, Chicago Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation cut the ribbon on the $18 million road project, which extends Balmoral Avenue west over Mannheim Road, under O'Hare's "people mover" train line, and connects with Bessie Coleman Drive near the international terminal. Coming from O'Hare, drivers can take the roadway to Rosemont's MB Financial Park entertainment district, the Rosemont Theatre, the Fashion Outlets of Chicago mall, Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, hotels and restaurants.
Rosemont pushed for the roadway extension 23 years ago, but the project was shelved until funding became available in 2013. Rosemont paid for design engineering costs, while the city and state paid for construction.