The O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) will reconfigure Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport’s current intersecting airfield layout into a more modern, parallel configuration thereby reducing delays and increasing capacity. The $8 Billion program will dramatically improve the efficiency of the airport and will enhance the economy of the region.

In accordance with the City’s green initiatives and OMP goals, sustainable design practices are being applied to all airport projects using the OMP’s Sustainable Design Manual (SDM), which Primera helped author. The SDM applies sustainable design and construction guidelines to an airport environment with structure and content similar, in part, to LEED. Starting in 2008, an oversight committee of airport sustainability experts, which included Primera, was formed to oversee the update and expansion of the SDM.

The members of the oversight committee, with key Primera staff, coordinated the activities for 11 committees that were formed bringing together more than 100 industry and agency experts to assist in the development of the updated manual. Primera led several of the individual committees providing technical input and support, and discussion moderation at the committee meetings. Working with the oversight team and the members coordinating this effort, Primera assisted in incorporating the final comments and suggestions from the committees and was a key author of the new Sustainable Airport Manual (SAM). The new SAM includes the updated SDM sections covering sustainable design and construction and is expanded to include three new chapters consisting of airport planning, operations and maintenance, and concessions and tenants.