Goal

Western Access & O’Hare Expansion

Capitalize on opportunities surrounding the completion of Western Access into O’Hare International Airport.

O’Hare International Airport continues to play a vital role in our Nation’s transportation infrastructure, especially as it relates to the movement of cargo and goods throughout the United States. The expeditious movement of cargo is especially critical now, to allow companies to get their product to market more efficiently and effectively.

Since 2021, significant progress has been made on Western Access:

  • Agreement with the railroads was reached, paving the way for a full access interchange connecting I – 490 with IL 390 and providing access to York, Irving Park, & O’Hare, providing full mobility on the west side of O’Hare, opening opportunities for development in northeastern DuPage. Funding has been approved for new improvements to the O’Hare (see O’Hare 21Plan). These improvements are expected to generate an additional $50B in economic activity and create 500,000 jobs over several years.
  • New messaging: “Let’s keep Western Access moving forward because it is now, more than ever, a vital link to our businesses and economy.” Greater access for our 7,000 T&L companies in DuPage, direct access to the new cargo campus on the northside of the airport, south airfield, and off campus cargo facilities. In addition, there should be greater focus on the movement of goods in a timely and competitive manner and an emphasis placed on the importance of strengthening the region’s position as a world cargo gateway and the trickledown benefits of this to all businesses.
  • Approximately $124.4 billion of imports come through O’Hare, while exports amount to $51.2 billion. O’Hare accounts for about 38% of the air cargo market share in the Midwest & O’Hare expansion provides even further opportunities for the economy.

Key Activities:

  • Work with GCEP, CMAP, municipalities and other partners to understand the impact of Western Access and O’Hare expansion by updating or developing new studies on: the economic impact of Western Access and O’Hare expansion (i.e., examining different access options and the latest freight data); FDI strategy/plan; industry growth and future demand within the corridor, transportation mobility (i.e. cargo movement), and a corridor land use analysis. Any plans and actions here should span over 3 and 5 years.
  • Work with the communities in the western O’Hare corridor to identify ‘areas of opportunity’ that support western access and growth within the corridor and to consider zoning and development overlay districts to help guide development and redevelopment.
  • Hold a special forum with Western Access communities and key stakeholders or advocate for the development of a “corridor planning council” group to address the topics above.
  • Request that CDA reconsider enplanement/passenger thresholds relative to reauthorizing environmental and design engineering for the consolidated passenger and baggage tunnel from Western Access to main terminals.