Will Pay For Improvements To Taxiway LL At The Airport

U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx has announced a $10 million FAA Airport Improvement Program (AIP) grant for improvements to Taxiway LL at O’Hare International Airport.

“When completed, this taxiway project will …  help reduce delays for passengers traveling through the nation’s second-busiest airport,” said Foxx (pictured).

The funds will be used for taxiway improvements that are part of the O’Hare Modernization Program and will reduce the time aircraft are on the runway, decrease aircraft delays, and enhance runway safety. The taxiway will support two new runways – Runway 10C/28C that will open in October 2013 and Runway 10R/28L on the south end of O’Hare that will open in 2015.

“The taxiway project will provide operational benefits to the airport for years to come,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “The project also will provide additional safety benefits because aircraft will be moved through the air transport system more efficiently.”

The O'Hare Modernization Program is a $6.6 billion airport improvement project that adds four new runways, extends two additional runways, and creates multiple new taxiways.  These additions and upgrades will improve aircraft ground flow, reduce flight delays, and enhance safety.  As a result, O'Hare will transform from an airport that operates with multiple-crossing runways to one that will use six parallel runways. Air travelers will see more on-time flights, especially in poor weather conditions, and the O’Hare Modernization Program, when completed, will help to decrease annual flight delays by up to 66 percent.

AIP provides $3.35 billion in annual funding for projects that are vital to maintaining the safety, capacity, and environmental stewardship of our nation’s airports.  More than 3,300 airports are eligible for AIP grants benefiting commercial passengers, cargo operations, and general aviation activities throughout the nation.

FMI: www.dot.gov, www.faa.gov, www.flychicago.com/ohare/en/home