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DOT 59-04
Contact: Bill Mosley,
Tel.: (202) 366-4570
Wednesday, April 28,
2004
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $26.5 Million to Enhance
Capacity, Reduce Noise
At Chicago Midway International Airport
U.S. Transportation Secretary Norman Y. Mineta today announced grants totaling
$26.5 million to enhance capacity at Chicago Midway International Airport while
also minimizing the impact of aircraft noise on the surrounding community.
The grants will be used to improve the physical infrastructure of the airport as
well as to provide sound insulation for nearby schools.
“Today’s grants will help Midway Airport continue to expand and fuel economic
growth in the Chicago area while also reducing the impact of aircraft noise on
school children,” Secretary Mineta said. “It’s a win-win for the people of
Chicago.”
“Seeing as Midway Airport is so vital to the future of Chicago’s economy, I am
pleased it will be receiving these much-needed funds to increase capacity,” said
U.S. Rep. William Lipinski of Illinois. “It is good policy to also provide
additional soundproofing funds, as airports continue to grow. These grants will
help to ensure area schoolchildren are able to learn without the distraction of
aircraft noise.”
A total of $12 million was granted to the airport as the seventh installment of
a 10-year federal commitment to rehabilitate runways; construct taxiways,
aprons, access roads and service roads; improve airfield lighting; and remove
obstructions. This project will enhance the airport’s capacity and promote
competition among airlines operating at Midway. The government has already
provided $54 million to the project and has committed to an additional $48
million through 2007.
An additional grant of $5.5 million will be used for construction of a new
concourse area on the west side of Cicero Ave. The new concourse, together with
the new terminal building on the east side of Cicero Ave., will enable the
airport to accommodate future growth in passenger traffic.
Also announced today were grants to soundproof four Chicago schools that are
impacted by noise from Midway Airport. A total of $2.5 million will be used for
soundproofing Nightingale Elementary School, $1.9 million for Hearst Elementary
School, $1.7 million for Carroll Elementary School, and $2.9 million for St.
Thomas More School. The work will include replacement of existing single-pane
windows with acoustical window units, and installation of acoustical ceilings
and vestibule doorways where required.
The funds come from the Airport Improvement Program of the U.S. Department of
Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration.
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