Facilities

Runways Runway layout at ORD

With the opening of new runway 9L/27R in November 2008 O'Hare has seven runways in three roughly-parallel sets. The longest is Runway 10L–28R, 13,001′ x 150′. Runways 9L, 10L, 14L, 14R, 27L, 27R and 28R have Category III instrument landing systems (ILS), allowing trained aircrews to conduct landings with as little as 600 feet (180 m) of horizontal visibility. All other runway approaches except 4L have full Category I ILS. Runway 4L is seldom used for landings and has a localizer, the horizontal guidance component of an ILS system, but does not have a glideslope, the vertical component.

In years past, runways at O'Hare intersected each other with the exception of 4R/22L. This creates problems in inclement weather, busy times, or high winds. There have been several near-collisions at O'Hare in recent years. The redevelopment, which essentially eliminates active runway intersections, is intended to reduce collision hazards and delays.

The field started with four clustered runways; in March 1950 all were 5500 to 5750 feet. Runway 14 (later 14L) became 7345 feet around 1952; 8000-ft runway 14R/32L opened in 1956 and became 11600 ft in 1960. 10000-ft 9R/27L (now designated 10L/28R) opened in 1968 and 14L became 10000 ft around the same time. 4R/22L opened in 1971 and the new 9L/27R in 2008. In 2003 the fourth original runway (18/36) closed; its short length, lack of use, and placement no longer justified certification. Runway 18/36 is now taxiway WT on airport charts.

The redevelopment, when completed, will remove the two northwest–southeast runways (14/32 L/R), construct four additional east–west runways (10C/28C, 10R/28L, 9L/27R, and 9C/27C), and extend the existing east–west runways (9R/27L and 10L/28R). The two existing northeast–southwest (4/22 L/R) runways will be retained. Currently, one of the four new runways has been constructed (9L/27R), and one of the two extensions (10L/28R) has been completed. The second new runway, which will be 10,800 x 200 feet, (10C/28C) is under construction.

In the earlier airfield layout runway 32L was often used for departures in a shortened configuration. Planes reached the runway at taxiway T10 (common) or taxiway M (not common). This shortened the runway but allowed operations on runway 10L/28R to continue without restriction. The full length of the runway was available upon request, though with the extension of 10L/28R it was usually not needed. In May 2010 runway 14R/32L was permanently shortened to 9,685-foot (2,952 m) and it now starts at taxiway M.

O'Hare has a voluntary nighttime (2200–0700) noise abatement program.

The runway reconfiguration at O'Hare will also improve the airport for the A380 Super-Jumbo aircraft. On July 5, 2007 the runway previously designated 9R/27L became runway 10/28. On May 2, 2013, that same runway (10/28) became 10L/28R. On August 30, 2007, runway 9L/27R became 9R/27L.

On September 25, 2008 a 2,857-foot (871 m) extension to 10L/28R opened. On May 2, 2013 airport diagrams published by the FAA depicted the runway previously designated 10/28 as 10L/28R.

Access to airport CTA Blue Line station at O'Hare International Airport Road vehicles enter and exit via I-190, which branches off I-90 (the Kennedy Expressway) leading to downtown Chicago. Cars may also access the airport locally from Mannheim Road, the airport's eastern boundary. Aside from cargo access on its south side, all airport traffic travels through the east side of the airport. Local residents sometimes refer to I-190 as "the world's busiest Cul-de-sac" as a result of the one way access. Subway trains from the Blue Line of the Chicago Transit Authority's 'L' depart the terminal from an underground station that opened on September 3, 1984. Commuter trains from the Metra North Central Service stop at the O'Hare Transfer station, which is connected to the Airport Transit System via a shuttle bus. Taxi and Limo Services also provide transportation to/from Chicago O'Hare Airport. Intra-airport transportation Main article: Airport Transit System Airport Transit System with Hilton Hotel in Background

Access within the airport complex can be accomplished using O'Hare's Airport Transit System (ATS), a 2.5 mi (4 km) long automated people mover system that operates 24 hours a day, connecting all four terminals and the remote parking lots. The system began operation on May 6, 1993, and will be soon undergoing a $240 million enhancement to add 15 new cars, upgrade the current infrastructure, and to extend the line to a new consolidated rental car facility where lot F is currently situated.

Other facilities

Nippon Cargo Airlines has its Americas regional office on the O'Hare property.

A large air cargo complex on the southwest side of the field was opened in 1984, replacing most of the old cargo area, which stood where Terminal 5 now exists. This complex sits right in the middle of the footprint for new runway 10C/28C, and is to be replaced by a new facility located on the northeastern portion of the airfield.

The new North Terminal Air Traffic Control Tower was completed in September of 2008 and commissioned for use on November 20, 2008. The new tower was designed by DMJM Aviation-Holmes & Narver Aviation Partners JV (design principal Jose Luis Palacios).

The USO has a facility in Terminal 2 for the use of military personnel arriving or departing, as well as military recruits going to Recruit Training Command, which has a booth at O'Hare to coordinate transportation to Naval Station Great Lakes for Naval recruits arriving via airplane.