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Senators Kirk, Durbin Announce $10 Million in DOT Funding for O’Hare Taxiway Construction


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WASHINGTON–(ENEWSPF)–September 20, 2013.  U.S. Senators Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) and Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) today announced the Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded a $10 million grant to Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport for the construction of a new taxiway as a part of the O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP).

“O’Hare Airport is a crucial economic engine for northern Illinois,” Senator Kirk said. “These funds will help keep the O’Hare Modernization Program on schedule and support efforts to retake the title of the nation’s busiest airport.”

“The federal government has invested a total of $747 million to expand and modernize O’Hare Airport. Today’s additional funding, in combination with a significant contribution from the airlines, will help create jobs and keep the project on track,” said Durbin. “As the largest airport reconstruction project in history, the O’Hare Modernization Program is a worth investment in that will pay dividends for years to come. I want to thank Transportation Secretary Foxx, Mayor Emanuel and Senator Kirk for their efforts to keep Chicago’s transportation system one of the safest and most efficient in the world.”

The new taxiway is part of Phase 2B of the O’Hare Modernization Program. It will provide greater operational flexibility by allowing multi directional traffic and better access between the south field runways. Design will begin this fall with construction starting in 2014. Completion is expected in 2016.

In February 2011, Senators Kirk and Durbin urged Secretary LaHood to meet with Airlines and City of Chicago to ensure the O’Hare Modernization Program moved forward, ensuring the airport can continue to meet future air traffic capacity needs. As a result of their efforts and the intervention of Secretary LaHood, an agreement was reached to fund Phase 2A of OMP. In July 2011, the DOT awarded its first construction funding for the 10R/28L Runway. Upon completion, the OMP is expected to create 195,000 more jobs and generate $18 billion in annual economic activity.

Source: kirk.senate.gov

 


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