THE WESTERN
ACCESS O’HARE PROJECT
O’Hare
International Airport is the nation’s second busiest airport. In 2005, O’Hare
transported nearly 77 million passengers and 1.7 million tons of cargo –
serving as a vital transportation link between the Chicago region and the rest
of the world. However, its existing infrastructure is the cause of heavy delay
and congestion. Currently, O’Hare is accessed from the east. The Western Access
O’Hare project will give western access to the airport with an addition of a
western roadway, allowing the region to meet future transportation needs.
THE PROJECT
The
project begins with an addition of nearly 50 expressway lane miles through the
conversion of Thorndale Avenue into a limited-access four-lane highway,
creating an extension to the Elgin-O’Hare Expressway. With this extension, a
bypass or ring road will then be created in order to connect I-90 and I-294.
CONSIDER THE
FUTURE
The
increased transportation and infrastructure will bring with it a modern and
diverse economic base that will transform the region. The area will become a
prime location for businesses to locate and future developments.
CONSIDER THE
BENEFITS:
▪
Location – At the heartbeat of the Midwest – the center of the
nation’s busiest transportation hub
▪
Land – Enough to build big
▪
Workforce – Skilled, educated, competitive labor
▪
Financial Benefits – Savings on fuel, time, recruitment,
incentives
▪
Quality of Life – It’s all here – education, entertainment, culture
With
unparalleled proximity to the airport, I-90, I-294, and I-290, businesses
looking to locate in the newly available developments will be taking advantage
of transportation gateways to the rest of the world. In an increasingly global
economy, enhanced access to national and global markets, along with a reduction
in delay time, will enhance the competitiveness and productivity of local
businesses while facilitating economic growth.
ECONOMIC
IMPACT
The
benefits from this project are not only compelling, but would completely
transform the economy of the region. The following is a list of some of the
economic benefits of the project, found by the Elgin-O’Hare Western Bypass
Advisory Council:
▪
Opportunity
exists to create 65,000 jobs by 2040
▪
Local
tax revenues are expected to increase by $29 million annually (based on 2010
projection)
▪
13,450
jobs will be created annually in the region during construction
Travel
delays will be reduced, saving $145 million annually by 2040
