Contact Information:
Monique Bond
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O’HARE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT BEGINS WORK ON THE UPPER LEVEL ROADWAY CANOPY

The O’Hare Terminal Façade and Circulation Enhancement (FACE) Project Enters Phase 2

CHICAGO - December 5, 2003 - Phase 2 construction of the O'Hare Terminal Façade and Circulation Enhancement (FACE) Project begins on Monday, December 8th , aviation officials announced today.

The second phase of the O’Hare FACE Project beginning this month and continuing through summer 2004 will include the installation of steel columns, vertical glass walls and terrazzo flooring. A canopy "wing" over the upper level roadway in front of Terminals 2 and 3 will extend approximately 46 feet over the first 2 upper level lanes of traffic.

"The new roadway canopy will protect travelers from rain and snow as they arrive in front of the terminal buildings," said Aviation Commissioner Thomas R. Walker. "This is just one of the benefits of the O’Hare FACE Project, which is necessary to update and enhance the airport structure's integrity. We are making efforts to minimize motorist and passenger inconvenience during these different improvement phases," Walker added.

Minimal impacts to motorists and travelers are expected. Portions of the two upper level inner vehicular lanes in front Terminals 2 and 3 will be closed. Vehicular traffic will be rerouted around the work areas of the remaining lanes on the upper level roadway.

Work will be conducted during the overnight hours from 11:00pm to 5:00 am. Travelers will also notice certain vestibule closures that will be closed throughout the first phase. Access to the terminals will remain open at all times.

Variable message signs will be placed at major entry points into the airport at Cumberland Avenue; I-90 Flyover; I-90 Toll Plaza; Mannheim Road Southbound to I-190; Mannheim Rd. Northbound to I-190; Bessie Coleman Drive; I-190; T3 re-circulation roadway, and the entrance to the airport’s main parking garage.

Flyers will be distributed at all airport Information booths; police kiosks; and airline ticket counters. Travelers can also contact airport Information at (773) 686-2200. Public announcements will be made throughout the airport terminals. A virtual tour of the Façade Project can be viewed on the airport’s web site at www.flychicago.com

Motorists and airport users are advised to park in the main parking garage when meeting or dropping off travelers. A special rate of $3.00 for the first three hours of parking is available. Ticketing and towing of unattended or dwelling vehicles will be enforced.

Convenient public transportation options are available to O’Hare. The CTA’s Blue Line is a convenient way to get to the airport and the Loop while avoiding roadway congestion.

Travelers should allow additional time, an hour and a half for a domestic departure and two hours for an international departure.

The O’Hare FACE Project is part of the Department of Aviation's on-going capital improvement program to update the existing infrastructure of the airport facility. The $300 million project is a multi-phase construction project to update the existing façade and roadway of Terminals 1,2 &3. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2007.