Chicago's planned $15-billion expansion of O'Hare International Airport moved a step closer in July with the FAA's

Recently completed international airport projects include the new runway at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol designed by Dutch airport design specialist NACO. The runway is the first in The Netherlands with a width of 60 m. (197 ft.).

endorsement in its environmental impact statement on the project aimed at alleviating the nation's worst flight delays. The project has steadily grown in projected costs, and a recent U.S. DOT report indicated Chicago may have underestimated its costs. The city expects final FAA approval in September with construction beginning soon afterward.
      SH&E's Lees says the long-delayed O'Hare expansion is crucial to the Windy City's future economic growth:"Chicago has some real issues of restraints if they don't expand. It will limit economic development in the region. The new project will translate into continued growth. If they don't, chances are they could lose some business and companies may choose other locations for their projects."
      The O'Hare project is just one of many U.S. expansions either planned or under way. Among them is a $1.1-billion American Airlines terminal at New York's JFK International Airport. Phase one opened in August with phase two set for completion in 2007.