Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel has announced a $1.3 billion infrastructure upgrade for Chicago O’Hare Airport, which will see the construction of a sixth runway.
Construction is set to begin in May and will take about four years, city officials said.
It will include more de-icing pads and taxiways but there is no guarantee of new gates to ease congestion yet.
Emanuel said the city plans to add more gates and upgrade the existing terminals but was not part of this package.
The deal was reached between the city and major carriers United an American Airlines for the new runway which will be O’Hare’s second longest at 11,245 feet.
The carriers are contributing more than $100 million to the project and $345 million has been pledged by the US Department of Transportation.
In addition more than $200 million raised from passenger fees will go toward the total cost.
It will generate thousands of jobs, the mayor said.
"We’re going to make sure that everybody from every part of the city of Chicago participates in the growth of O’Hare and the opportunity to get a job and a career in that effort," Emanuel said at the media presentation.
