"We're one step closer to easing the congestion that has plagued travelers at O'Hare for far too long," Grassley said. "This plan will make air travel swifter, more efficient, and less frustrating. The airport functions as a nerve center for airline travel and when O'Hare sneezes, the rest of the country gets the flu."
The Senate Commerce Committee voted 19 to 4 in favor of the legislation that Grassley introduced with Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois. The bill cements an agreement arrived at by Illinois Governor George Ryan and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley to modernize and expand O'Hare. The agreement calls for the redesign and addition of runways at O'Hare to relieve congestion of air traffic in and out of the airport.
In addition to O'Hare expansion, Grassley's bill includes noise limitations and soundproofing programs to maintain the quality of life for residents living near the airport and improves ground infrastructure to address traffic congestion. The legislation also authorizes construction for a south suburban airport at Peotone and continues operations at Meigs Field, a general aviation airport in Chicago.
"This plan will make it easier and more pleasant for air travelers to come to Iowa. More on-time flights will be a great boon for the business traveler for whom time is money," Grassley said.
Grassley also said modernization of O'Hare will make the airport safer. The new runway configuration will eliminate dangerous cross-runways and provide for more parallel runways. It also will allow for the use of more modern electronic instrumentation.
"All of us are more focused on air safety after the events of September 11. Air travel security means more than screening passengers and baggage. It means safe take-offs and landings. The new runway configuration will be much safer than it is now," Grassley said.
Grassley's legislation must now be approved by the full Senate. The plan is overwhelmingly supported by many groups including the Air Line Pilots Association, National Air Traffic Controllers Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, National Air Transportation Association and General Aviation Manufacturers Association.