Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, in partnership with labor leaders, is scheduled to break ground on a new transit hub that will make it easier to get around O'Hare International Airport.
The aim of the facility is to provide a major access point for travelers to and from O’Hare. At present, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Blue Line runs directly form the airport through the near north and west suburbs and into the downtown area, aka the Loop.
The new $782 million hub will, once completed, provide thousands of spaces for public and rental car parking, and also serve as a major artery leading travelers to Metra and CTA trains.
The project has been characterized by the Mayor’s office as one of the largest capital improvement projects to be undertaken at O’Hare, and is being lauded as the first major follow-through of Emanuel’s reelected administration.
The hub project is expected to generate some 3,000 construction jobs throughout the project lifecycle and eventually 100 full-time jobs when it opens in 2016.
