Upgrades headed to Midway Airport look to elevate the passenger experience

Rendering courtesy of Muller+Muller

Travelers at Chicago’s Midway International Airport can look forward to a less frustrating experience thanks to a number of upgrades including a new and much larger pavilion checkpoint. Heralded as the largest improvement program at Midway in nearly 20 years, the new 80,000-square-foot “security hall” will bridge Cicero Avenue to better connect the Airside Terminal Building to the Landside Terminal Building.

Designed by Chicago-based architect Muller+Muller, the $104 million facility broke ground last month and is expected to be complete by late 2019/early 2020. It will slash wait times for passengers, incorporate the latest TSA technology, and create a new architectural gateway for the airport.

Meanwhile, a $75 million renovation of the airport’s dining options is planned to take the place of Midway’s existing security checkpoint. According to Eater Chicago, the multi-phase project will see the current concession area increase from 26,000 to 70,000 square feet and will include 19 new restaurants.

The aforementioned improvements to security and on-site dining will also be joined by an expanded parking facility. Extending to the east over a CTA maintenance yard, the new garage will include 1,500 additional parking spaces and reduce the reliance on existing off-site parking lots. An improved pedway to the CTA’s Orange Line is also part of the project.

Midway

• Midway Modernization Project [Chicago Department of Aviation]
• Midway Airport’s Food Upgrade To Add 19 New Restaurants [Eater Chicago]