Do you mean Thorndale Ave between Elgin Expressway and Ohare? I'm pretty sure its already being upgraded to an expressway, you can see it in google maps.

Surprising news: Chicago Aviation Dept. commissioner leaving this summer, mayor's office says


In other news, the RFQ for the new O'Hare projects was released. One interesting note is that it looks like the winning team will design the global terminal (T2 replacement) and the runner-up designs the new concourses...but somehow they expect a cohesive design...:shrug:

^ that's been rumored for a while. I don't think it's surprising.

maps are new again, very newish maybe march ish 2018

"PAL is now not planning to launch any longer US routes. The airline was earlier considering Miami-Manila, which is approximately 8,100nm. However, PAL is now instead only considering Chicago and Seattle for its final two A350s, which are slated for delivery in 2019. Chicago-Manila is slightly shorter than New York-Manila."

(contradicts themselves but I have heard this from another source also)



https://centreforaviation.com/analys...ustomer-431110

I remember them coming to ORD back in the early 1990's with a 747 with many stops in between. This would be a nonstop with the A350-900ULR wich has a range of 9700NM and 280 ton payload if that is approved, although I think the payload will be less at max distance.

It sounds like this is considering New Zealand to be part of the Australian continent, which it technically no longer is considered to be true as Zealand was recently classified as a distinct continent. Not that anyone is going to start considering that in any functional way anytime soon.

Ethiopian has been using both 777LR and 787 on their Addis Ababa service from Chicago.

Slightly OT, but related to air travel in Chicago: has anyone ever looked at the 'South Suburban Airport' drawings? Has that ever been posted here before?

https://www.southsuburbanairport.com...port-Plans.htm

The drawings are dated 2012, but it appears that things were moving forward as of late 2016/early 2017, and the drawings appear very well developed, even though they are more or less advanced feasibility studies.

I wonder if the recent, massive redevelopment plans for O'Hare have rendered the SSA plans obsolete. Apologies if this has already been discussed at length before..

I'm pretty sure it's just a promise to sell to some voters (just like the Illiana expressway).

I talked to someone in Congressman Kelly's office back in January about the South Suburban Airport plans and he seemed to think that there still was a big chance that it would get built, but obviously with the O'Hare expansion news since then, it seems far less likely. Interestingly enough, the SSA was supposed to be a common-use facility according to their most recent proposals to the FAA.
I wonder what IDOT will do with all the land they bought for the airport...

Build a big railyard and start electrified hourly service to Champaign? We can dream...

Also, this makes it somewhat easier to go to Antarctica (since you go through Christchurch, at least with USAP).

..

Not sure I like the cities plan to select two winners - one for the new T2 and one for the satellite concourses. We'll see what they come up with, but that seemingly rules out a seamless design.

According to the Tribune, the list includes:

• Santiago Calatrava
• BIG
• Fentress
• Studio Fuksas
• SOM
• Perkins + Will
• Jahn
• Epstein
• HOK
• Gensler

Still a few names missing it seems.

Heavy hitters there.

I'd like a Studio Gang international terminal thank you.

Also hard no on Calatrava.

Calatrava leaves cities with giant $$$ debacles on the back end. Definite hard no.

Sounds like the missing firms were listed under joint ventures. Curbed also mentions Foster + Partners, Goettsch, Vinoly, Studio Gang, STL, JGMA, and Solomon Cordwell Buenz.

What’s the point of having 2 teams design 2 different parts of the project? Would 1 firm be able to make a more functional plan for both?