Since United is the largest operator at ORD, I thought a discussion of the new runway's impact on ORD flying might be in order. Clearly this should relieve a lot of congestion and delays. (I had no idea that ORD is now planning for a total of 8 runways, however, until I saw the O'Hare Modernization Program's website.)

Chicago-O�Hare New Runway Set to Open Next October

It's bad reporting. Has noting to do with UA. it's the 3rd runway to either be built or extended as part of the the plan, not that ORD has 3 run ways. There is a 4th new one planned but not yet agreed upon.

FAA ORD airport runaway map

Why are the 3 parallel runways labeled 27R/L and 28, instead of 27R/L/C?

Some history on ORD runaways

Because there will eventually be 6 east/west runways. FAA allows the numbering like that to avoid confusion. The north set are numbered 9/27. L/R exist now, C in the future. The south set numbered 10/28, just one now, second will be done next year (it's the point of the article at the start of the thread), last one will be the last one done.

Same thing exists at other airports too. ATL has 2 8's, 2 9's and a 10 that are 9's. LAX has 2 6's and 2 7's that are 7's. DEN has 2 16's and 2 17's that are 17's *and* a 7 and an 8 that are both 8's.

As much as everyone thinks this runway will help a lot with delays and congestion, most of those issues went away when 27R was opened.

This runway was designed specifically for the Class VI aircraft (A380, 748) and currently the A380 is not authorized to operate to ORD yet. All the 748 operators are cargo and can use other runways but are restricted to taxiing outside the main terminal complex due to wingtip issues.

What will help is when the 3rd southern FAA tower is built. Then you can start looking at ORD as two separate airports. The Northern which will cover UA and the Southern which will cover AA. The Center FAA tower will handle clearance delivery, clearance and both inbound and outbound traffic.

There's some proposed taxiway construction planned for 2013 which will make some quality of life improvements near T5.

I'm actually bummed about 32L going away. Taxing from UA gates to 32L @ T10 is just about the shortest among major airports.

I agree but this should swing over to AA's side now if the taxiway construction between the end of the K finger and T5 takes place, there will be a nice straight path from T3 the 28's.

Basically it's removing the AA fuel farm and preplacing it with an angled taxiway that runs right to ZV.

Sorry to bump an older thread but I came across this doing a google search for updates on the OMP.

I saw on some of the FAA OMP data that 10C/28C was needed for B748/A388 flights. Does this (and the taxiway updates) need to be complete before LH can start flying the 748 into ORD for passenger service?

No, the issue with the LH748i is getting from T5 to T1. It appears the FAA will grant the waiver so look for it hopefully in August.

We already have the 748's operating into ORD already.

I knw that the 748 freighters were already operating at ORD. I had read here and elsewhere that there was some issues with taxiways for the passenger flights. So when I saw the OMP schedule about taxiway improvements, I thought maybe that was it.

In any event, thanks much for the answer!!!