Would-be O'Hare designers get update

Gloomy news about the aviation industry didn't stop about 300 professionals from crowding into a Des Plaines ballroom Tuesday to learn more about O'Hare expansion.

The Chicago Department of Aviation hosted a Designer Open House aimed at firms interested in airport construction work.

The city is embarked on a more than $8 billion O'Hare Modernization Program that will result in six parallel runways replacing the crisscross system in existence now.

So far, one new runway and air traffic control tower on the north end of the airport will be commissioned in November and a runway extension is expected to open in September.

Tuesday's event gave would-be designers information about future projects -- two new runways and another runway extension at O'Hare plus a western terminal.

Concepts for the western terminal are still preliminary but it could have 60 gates and will include an underground train system to transport passengers to other terminals.

The city is expected to seek applications this summer and pick the lead designers in early November. The hope is to complete the ambitious project by 2014.

It's anticipated the runway changes will ultimately cut 15- to 20-minute delays to about five minutes.

But the modernization program has faced challenges that include the acquisition of hundreds of homes in Bensenville and subsequent court challenges. Opponents of O'Hare expansion question whether the city has sufficient funding, and they estimate the project's cost will spiral out of control. It is $400 million overbudget now, officials say.

There also are concerns that high jet fuel costs and the resultant cutbacks by industry giants such as United Airlines will dampen funding sources for the expansion. But OMP Executive Director Rosemarie Andolino said the fact the city is just months away from commissioning runway improvements is creating a buzz amongst designers.

"The one thing we know is that the airline industry goes up and down," Andolino said. "But over the years, the demand for aviation continues to grow."

O'Hare modernization could save airlines millions of dollars annually in wasted fuel by slashing delays, she added.