The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) and its construction partners have placed the final beam for a new six-story parking garage at Terminal 5 of O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
Scheduled to open later this year, the new garage will more than double the parking capacity at the recently extended terminal, catering to both domestic and international travellers.
The facility will also be equipped with advanced technology such as a parking guidance system and electric vehicle charging stations to improve the overall passenger experience.
Mayor Brandon Johnson said:Investments in ground transportation and curbside improvements are an important complement to the transformational modernisation happening across O’Hare. Our goal is to ensure a world-class travelling experience during every step of the journey into, through and out of the airport.
The new garage will replace the current surface parking lot and will provide 2,600 spaces for short and long-term parking options.
Throughout the construction process, efforts have been made to minimise inconvenience to Terminal 5 customers by maintaining a portion of the existing parking lot and promoting alternative parking options.
CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee said:This new garage is an important component of providing a modern, comfortable experience for our passengers. And throughout this complex project, the CDA has taken extensive steps to reduce the impact on customers as much as possible, while also ensuring the project builds capacity among diverse firms of all sizes.
In addition to the parking garage, landside improvements at Terminal 5 will include roadway re-striping and an expansion of the curbside area to enhance traffic flow and passenger convenience.
These enhancements are part of the broader O’Hare 21 programme, aimed at transforming the airport into a modern, efficient travel hub for a more enjoyable passenger experience.
