Primera Engineers is proud to announce that we have been selected to join the HNTB lead civil engineering team for Chicago O’Hare International Airport’s O’Hare 21 project. This $8.5 Billion project marks the largest expansion and improvements made to the airport’s passenger terminals in over a quarter-century. O’Hare 21 will not only bring a new Global Terminal, but several other improvements as well, like more overall gate capacity, additional lounge and concession space, and expansion of security screening checkpoints, among others.

As the lead civil engineer on the project, HNTB and Primera will design the heavy infrastructure components to support the new terminal facilities. Our scope of work includes the design of a central tunnel system to move utilities, baggage and passengers from the new Global Terminal (the centerpiece of the massive expansion project, pictured above, which is being designed by Chicago architect Jeanne Gang) to the airport’s satellite concourses in a more efficient manner. Our team will also design new taxiways and civil infrastructure between and around concourses to ensure one of the world’s busiest airfields is not obstructed during construction. Our Aviation Group Manager, Joe Avram, will serve as the Lead Airfield Engineer overseeing the surveying geotechnical, phasing, geometry, grading, airfield electrical and drainage throughout the project. Civil Engineers Steve Moulton and Jamei Borges will support Joe. Utilities Project Manager Dave Hansen will be one of the project’s Utility Engineers, Aviation Lead John Antonoglu will assist with civil design and oversee sustainability, and our Lighting Studio Manager Deborah Steimel-Clair will provide the tunnel lighting design.

The HNTB team joins Skidmore, Owings & Merril and Studio ORD to round up the final design team that will transform O’Hare into a modern, efficient and accessible airport that will continue to serve the growing needs of travelers for years to come.