Chicago has broken ground on Concourse D at O’Hare International Airport, a $1.3 billion expansion that marks the airport’s first major terminal addition in more than three decades. The 590,000-square-foot facility will add 19 gates, new lounges, commercial space, and a children’s play area.
The concourse, located south of Terminal 1, is scheduled to open in 2028. City officials project nearly 4,000 construction jobs will be created during the build-out, while airfield operations will continue at up to 120 planes per hour. The expansion follows O’Hare’s busiest June on record and a series of peak travel days this summer.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the building will feature energy-efficient systems expected to cut heating and cooling costs by half, as well as sustainable design elements including living greenery. A domed multi-tiered hall with an oculus skylight is planned to improve wayfinding and provide natural light, and a double-decker lounge will offer views of the Chicago skyline.
Concourse D is part of the $8.2 billion O’Hare 21 modernization program, which also includes the recently expanded Terminal 5 and a planned global terminal to replace Terminal 2. Federal, state, and city leaders have framed the project as essential to maintaining O’Hare’s role as a global hub and as one of the region’s largest economic engines.