Aviation
By far the most economical way to add airport capacity to
Chicago is to reopen and improve Meigs Field. The cost per additional
operation is less than 1/10 the cost associated with building new runways at
O’Hare, and adding runways at Midway is practically impossible, due to space
constraints. While enhancing Meigs Field is not a total substitute for more
runways at the commercial hubs, it is part of the solution, and one that is
immediately available, at relatively low cost.
In a congested aviation market like Chicago, every flight
counts.
For this reason, re-opening and improving Meigs Field is
an important element of this proposal. Under this proposal, the historic
land under Meigs Field will continue to be used as an airport… and much
more. The effects of improving Meigs Field are wide-ranging and economically
valuable.
