Chicago O'Hare pedestrian tunnels are getting an upgrade
TPG Executive Editorial Director Scott Mayerowitz was in Chicago last week for United Airlines' annual media day. As he waited for his flight at Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), he snapped the photo, below.
As mentioned in the "Coming Soon" sign above, local engineering and design firm Epstein has been tapped by the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA), which manages O'Hare and Chicago Midway Airport (MDW), to oversee the construction of new and upgraded tunnels, originally constructed in 1977.
Leaks in the tunnels during heavy rains has caused damage that forced CDA to repeatedly close tunnels for maintenance, taking a toll on the tunnel interiors. After putting out a request for bids in August 2019, CDA awarded a contract to Epstein to fix the tunnels and give them a theme inspired by the city of Chicago.
Related reading: Upgrades Coming to Chicago O'Hare as Terminal 5 Construction Begins
The construction company did a major evaluation of the airport's seven pedestrian tunnels including 3-D laser scanning surveys of the tunnel interiors and investigating the potential source of water infiltration. Once that was completed, Epstein began working on systems including:
- Replacing failed or collapsed storm sewers systems
- Replacing deteriorated sidewalk surfaces in the Terminal areas
- Replacing tunnel architectural wall and ceiling finishes
- Replacing concrete walls and ceilings
- Replacing existing architectural finishes and doing architectural renovations
Epstein's architects worked with the CDA on the tunnel design. Each tunnel's theme will follow the same color scheme of the terminals they are leading to, according to the firm. Terminal 1 will have blue gradient wallpaper and images of the Chicago skyline, lake, river and flag. Terminal 2 will have orange gradient wallpaper with images from the Chicago Theater District. Terminal 3 will have green gradient wallpaper with images from the city's parks and green roofs.
The project is part of O'Hare 21, the city's $8.5 billion project that includes the new O'Hare Global Terminal, expected to open in 2028.
TPG featured card
at Bilt's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 1X | Choose to earn up to 1X points on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee |
| 2X | Earn 2X points + the option to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday purchases |
Pros
- Choice to earn up to 1 Bilt Point per dollar spent on rent and mortgage payments
- Elevated everyday earnings with both Bilt Points and the option to earn Bilt Cash
- $400 Bilt Travel Portal hotel credit per year (up to $200 biannually)
- $200 Bilt Cash annually
- Priority Pass membership
- No foreign transaction fees
Cons
- Moderate annual fee
- Designed primarily for members seeking a premium, all-in-one card
- Earn points on housing with no transaction fee
- Choose to earn 4% back in Bilt Cash on everyday spend. Use Bilt Cash to unlock point earnings on rent and mortgage payments with no transaction fee, up to 1X.
- 2X points on everyday spend
- $400 Bilt Travel Hotel credit. Applied twice a year, as $200 statement credits, for qualifying Bilt Travel Portal hotel bookings.
- $200 Bilt Cash (awarded annually). At the end of each calendar year, any Bilt Cash balance over $100 will expire.
- Welcome bonus (subject to approval): 50,000 Bilt Points + Gold Status after spending $4,000 on everyday purchases in the first 90 days + $300 of Bilt Cash.
- Priority Pass ($469/year value). See Guide to Benefits.
- Bilt Point redemptions include airlines, hotels, future rent and mortgage payments, Lyft rides, statement credits, student loan balances, a down payment on a home, and more.