CHICAGO, IL — The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) officially begins construction of Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, a $1.3 billion investment and the first major milestone in O’Hare’s terminal expansion. Marked by a ceremonial groundbreaking, this milestone represents a major step in delivering the ORDNext program under O’Hare 21 — an expansion and modernization initiative that aims to redefine the passenger experience at one of the world’s busiest airports.
The New Concourse D will include 19 new gates designed for narrow-body aircraft, with the flexibility to adapt 18 of those gates into nine larger gates that can accommodate wide-body planes. Current planned amenities include more than 20,000 square feet of lounge space, 30,000 square feet of commercial space, and a 450-square-foot children’s play area.
At the northern end of the 590,000-square-foot Concourse D is a 40-foot-high atrium-like space connecting the building’s three levels, marked by an oculus that directs daylight into the levels below.
Site preparation work for The New Concourse D began in 2023, including construction of temporary taxiways, a new grade-separated roadway, the reconfiguration of Taxiway B, and three temporary gates added to Concourse C, which opened last year. Major construction recently kicked off, starting with the demolition of existing taxiways, which will be followed by approximately six months of excavation, laying the groundwork for vertical construction to begin in spring 2026.
Last year, the AECOM HuntClaycoBowa joint venture was selected as the construction manager at-risk for the new Concourse D and associated infrastructure.
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Concourse D, the first of two new satellite concourses, is scheduled for completion in late 2028. Additional projects to be delivered through ORDNext include replacing Terminal 2 with the O’Hare Global Terminal, constructing a second satellite concourse designated Concourse E with 24 gates, and building a new underground tunnel to connect passengers, airport employees, and baggage operations between the expanded facilities.
As part of the ORDNext program, HNTB is providing lead tunnel design and engineering services for the tunnel system that will connect the new O’Hare Global Terminal to Concourse D and Concourse E to the west. The consolidated tunnel will include dedicated cells for a future automated people mover system, a secure pedestrian corridor, a sterile corridor for international arrivals at Concourse D, and a tunnel cell that will house the baggage handling system conveyance equipment.
“We’re proud to support Chicago Department of Aviation in launching this pivotal phase of the ORDNext program,” said Albert Sosa, PE, HNTB’s Chicago Office Leader and Senior Vice President. “Concourse D and the supporting tunnel infrastructure represent a bold step forward in modernizing O’Hare and enhancing connectivity across the terminal campus. It’s exciting to see construction begin on a project that will shape the future of air travel in Chicago and the aviation industry for generations to come.”
The tunnel structure is designed to support the aircraft and dead loads above its 121-foot width, while waterproofing and drainage systems will keep the interior dry. Tunnel ventilation systems are designed for each cell to meet fire and life safety requirements — all designed to ensure long-term durability and safety.
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“This tunnel system is the backbone of the ORDNext program — enabling seamless passenger movement, future transit connectivity, and critical operations infrastructure,” said Edward Balfe, HNTB’s Project Manager. “Our focus has been on designing a resilient, future-ready system that’s engineered to adapt and grow with the airport’s evolving demands.”
In addition to the tunnel system, HNTB is designing key civil infrastructure elements, including stormwater tunnels, grade separated roadways, aircraft aprons, and taxiways to support expanded airfield operations and enhance overall airport efficiency. Also included is a new Midfield Cooling Plant that will generate nearly 10,000 tons of cooling to support the new facilities.
