O'Hare expansion gets $50-mil. federal grant

Chicago was awarded the first $50-million U.S. Department of Transportation grant for runway construction at O’Hare International Airport under the $1.17-billion agreement struck in March that allowed the airport’s modernization to proceed, U.S. Sens. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Mark Kirk, R-Ill., announced Thursday.

Construction funding for Runway 10R/28L marks thebeginning of the completion phase of the O’Hare Modernization Program.

“The O'Hare Modernization Program is a project of national economic significance,” Mr. Durbin said in a statement. “The construction of a new runway at O’Hare will reduce flight delays and improve efficiency for traveling and shipping throughout the country.”

"O'Hare Modernization benefits not only Chicago, but the entire country," Mr. Kirk said in a statement. "This funding will improve and solidify O'Hare Airport's ability to function as a central hub for American transportation, and it will provide a much-needed economic boost for she State of Illinois."