City of Chicago Secures Under-Budget Agreement for Construction of New 19-Gate Concourse D at O'Hare

CHICAGO – The Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) has finalized an agreement with AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, the lead contractor for O'Hare International Airport's New Concourse D, establishing a Guaranteed Maximum Price of $1.455 billion for the 19-gate facility.

The agreement locks in a cost ceiling for the largest new passenger facility at O'Hare in more than 30 years and ensures the project will be delivered at least $21 million under the approved budget. Reached less than a year after construction began, the agreement provides important cost certainty for O'Hare's airline partners and marks a major governance milestone for ORDNext, the City's $8.78 billion modernization of the airport's core facilities.

"As ORDNext moves from planning to visible progress, this agreement is clear evidence that we are delivering one of the most important investments in Chicago history with discipline, partnership and momentum," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "By locking in a price cap $21 million below budget for The New Concourse D, we are giving our airline partners cost certainty, giving passengers a clearer path to a modernized O'Hare, and giving Chicago confidence that this historic program is moving forward responsibly. I want to thank American Airlines and United Airlines for their continued partnership and support as we build the next generation of O'Hare."

The New Concourse D is the first major phase of ORDNext, a transformational program that will deliver two new satellite concourses and replace Terminal 2 with the new O'Hare Global Terminal. The program is designed to increase gate capacity, modernize the passenger experience, improve connectivity across the airport, and strengthen O'Hare's role as a global gateway and economic engine for Chicago and the region.

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"This agreement pairs cost certainty with construction momentum, giving our partners, passengers, and the public confidence that the future of O'Hare is taking shape," said CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray.

The New Concourse D and the larger ORDNext development are funded through rates and charges, landing fees, and other airport revenues paid by the airlines and airport users that operate at O'Hare. This financing model supports the continued modernization and expansion of the airport through airport-generated revenues, with no state or local taxpayer dollars used to fund the program.

"For 100 years, we've proudly served Chicago and helped make O'Hare a leading global airport — and Concourse D is the next step forward," said Amanda Zhang, American Airlines Vice President of Corporate Real Estate. "With continued investment in our Chicago hub and the progress of ORDNext, we're building a stronger future for our customers and team members, and we're grateful for our continued partnership with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation."

"Concourse D is one of the clearest signs that ORDNext is moving from planning into real, visible progress," said United's Vice President of ORD, Omar Idris. "United values its partnership with the CDA and the City to help bring this next phase of O'Hare to life and strengthen our hometown hub's position as a leading global gateway."

The Guaranteed Maximum Price agreement reflects more than a year of collaborative planning among CDA, its program and construction partners, designers, and AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa. Through the construction manager at risk delivery model, the builder was engaged during design to identify constructability improvements, refine sequencing, optimize means and methods, and advance value-engineering opportunities before the final price was set.

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"Getting the agreement finalized is a major milestone for the overall program and a testament to the collaboration between the CDA, the design team, AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa, and the program manager, Connect Chicago Alliance," said Eric Howe, Senior Vice President, AECOM Hunt Clayco Bowa JV. "This achievement provides the certainty and momentum needed to advance one of the most significant infrastructure investments at O'Hare, while reinforcing our commitment to delivering Concourse D on time and under budget. As construction continues, passengers, partners, and the broader Chicago community will begin to see the vision of ORDNext taking shape in real and meaningful ways."

Designed by the Chicago-based firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) alongside Ross Barney Architects, Juan Gabriel Moreno Architects and Arup, The New Concourse D draws inspiration from O'Hare's original name, Orchard Field, through a series of dramatic tree columns that branch outward to support a 150-foot-wide, long-span roof.

The agreement also comes as Concourse D prepares to enter a more visible phase of construction. Over the next several months, travelers and airport workers will begin to see major signs of vertical progress, including the installation of a tower crane in July, the start of structural steel for the Midfield Cooling Plant at the end of July, and the start of Concourse D steel erection in August. The Midfield Cooling Plant will be a new support facility serving ORDNext, providing air conditioning and chilled water to Concourse D and future new facilities across the expanded O'Hare campus. Steel and enclosure work will continue through the fall.

In addition to supporting O'Hare's long-term competitiveness, Concourse D and the broader ORDNext program are expected to generate significant opportunities for local workers, subcontractors, suppliers, and W/MBE firms through prime contracts, lower-tier packages, and mentorship relationships designed to build long-term industry capacity.

Construction on Concourse D will continue into next year as crews continue to advance foundations, steel erection, tunnel work, building systems, and other enabling infrastructure needed to support the next generation of travel at O'Hare. The project remains on track for completion in late 2028.

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