Construction at O’Hare International Airport has reached a major milestone as crews begin vertical work on the airport’s expansive new Concourse D, part of the broader ORDNext modernization program.
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A joint venture led by AECOM Hunt, Clayco and Bowa Construction, in partnership with the Chicago Department of Aviation, has officially transitioned the $1.45 billion project into its next phase, according to an April 23 announcement.
The 580,000-square-foot Concourse D will include 19 gates designed primarily for narrow-body aircraft, commonly used for domestic and short-haul international flights. Project planners have also incorporated flexibility into the design, allowing 18 of those gates to be converted into nine wide-body gates to accommodate larger aircraft if needed.
Beyond aircraft operations, the new concourse is expected to significantly enhance passenger experience and airport capacity. Plans call for more than 20,000 square feet of lounge space, 30,000 square feet dedicated to retail and dining, and a 450-square-foot children’s play area.
Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the facility will feature a modern glass exterior and a layout intended to streamline passenger flow while supporting future growth.
The project broke ground in August 2025, and crews have already completed approximately 35% of the foundational work. That includes more than 90% of the caissons — deep, reinforced concrete shafts critical to supporting the structure.
In the coming weeks, contractors plan to install a 195-foot-tall tower crane at the center of the airfield, marking a visible shift to vertical construction on the 73-foot-tall concourse structure.
Concourse D is a central component of ORDNext, the largest terminal expansion initiative in O’Hare’s history. The program also includes plans for a future Concourse E and a new global terminal that will replace Terminal 2.
As part of the next construction phases, crews will install a central cooling facility designed to support not only Concourse D but also future developments across the airport campus. Additional work will include airfield paving and utility infrastructure improvements to support ongoing expansion.
The Chicago City Council approved the broader $8.5 billion ORDNext program in 2018, setting the stage for long-term modernization and capacity increases at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
City officials have previously stated that the airport expansion is expected to generate more than 3,800 construction jobs, contributing to the local economy while addressing increasing passenger demand.
Chicago’s infrastructure push extends beyond aviation. The Chicago Transit Authority recently broke ground on the $5.7 billion Red Line Extension, a 5.5-mile project aimed at expanding rail service to the city’s Far South Side.
Together, these investments signal a broader effort by the city to modernize transportation infrastructure, improve connectivity and support economic growth across the region.
Originally reported by Matthew Thibault, Reporter in Construction Dive.
