Mayor Brandon Johnson of Chicago joined forces with Southwest Airlines, along with construction and union bigwigs, to mark the beginning of a major facelift for Midway International Airport's Runway 13C/31C – a hefty $47 million endeavor aiming to revive the airfield and escalate operational safety in what's been dubbed the "busiest square mile in aviation," according to a statement from the City of Chicago.
During the groundbreaking ceremony, Mayor Johnson highlighted Midway's role as a South Side employment powerhouse and its impact on the city's overarching plan, known as Build Better Together, which aims to spur economic growth and bolster job opportunities, the airport's revamp is anticipated to introduce a new epoch of safer, smoother air voyages for Midway patrons, Mayor Johnson said, "Midway International Airport is one of the largest employers on the South Side, providing thousands of Chicagoans with quality jobs in a dynamic, ever-changing industry" and expressing gratitude for the financial backing from Southwest Airlines and Illinois's congressional delegates, per the city's statement.
The updates planned include a new pavement for the main runway and its cross-cutting taxiways, also reshaping the airfield to suit federal aviation benchmarks and importantly, safety is set to get a high-tech boost with the addition of new runway guard lights and a road crafted specifically for rapid aircraft rescue and firefighting responses should any troubles arise, said Michael J. McMurray, Chicago's Aviation Commissioner, and he also pledged a deadline met without interrupting the flurry of flights that Midway handles, the City of Chicago notes.
With K-Five Construction Corporation taking the reins, this project has been on the drawing board since late 2022, seeking the lion's share of cash from the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the FAA's Airport Improvement Grant program, tallying more than $37 million, with Southwest Airlines fully on board, as per Steve Sisneros, the airline's VP for Airport Affairs, who declared, "We are appreciative of the partnership from the City of Chicago to launch this critical project that invests in the future of Chicago Midway," the City of Chicago stated.
