O’Hare & Midway International Airports

With more than 95 million passengers passing through O’Hare International Airport and Midway International Airport each year on approximately 2400 flights per day, the City of Chicago’s Department of Aviation is constantly striving to improve the safety, comfort and convenience of the travelling public and those who work at the airports. 

The Chicago Airports Resources Enterprises (CARE) oversees the city’s on-going multi-billion dollar capital improvement program at both airports.  Currently CARE is managing a capital budget of approximately $700 million in airport improvements either in the conceptual, planning, design, procurement or construction phases. CARE - a joint venture headed by Heery International, Inc. and Chicago-based aviation specialist R.M. Chin and Associates - also includes Ghafari KSO, D;Escoto, Inc., Bradshaw Construction & Management, Autumn Construction Services, Eastlake Management/Development Corporation and Ann Harrison Management & Inspection Services.

Involving 56 different passenger carriers plus cargo flights and approximately 100 contractors and subcontractors working at the airports at any given time, the massive undertaking includes terminal façade and circulation enhancements, runway rehabilitation, the installation of some of the first engineered material arresting systems in the country, overhaul of much of the mechanical systems at both airports, creation of back-of-house in-line baggage screening systems, and installation of new moving sidewalks, escalators and elevators, as well as managing the city’s aggressive residential sound insulation program.

In addition to providing planning, construction management, scheduling and estimating services, the team is also responsible for overseeing the capital improvements program’s safety program, including providing Part 139 compliance training, which is mandated by the FAA for all personnel working airside at both airports. The CARE team includes three full-time, dedicated safety professionals and received the O’Hare Safety Expo Award in 2006 and 2007 for their improvements to the safety record at the airport.

Another key element is an aggressive program to help mitigate the impact of aircraft noise on nearby neighbors. Thousands of residents have benefited from the City of Chicago’s sound insulation program, the largest in the United States, which includes among other improvements, the installation of new windows, doors and central air conditioning.