Remnant of runway 15-33 (Chicago, Illinois)

Comments

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  DaveKilo

  This was the first runway built following the City of Chicago's acquisition of the airport, and the first to be built with jet aircraft in mind. Three of the four original 1943 runways were later modified for jet use. Runway 14R-32L was part of a 1950s master plan that envisioned six tangential, non-intersecting runways arranged in 3 sets of parallels. With its commissioning, O'Hare possessed parallel runways with enough lateral separation to allow the airport to become one of the first to accommodate simultaneous instrument approaches in low visibility. The runway was originally 8,000' in length and a generous 200' wide (all other ORD runways are presently 150' wide). By 1958 it was extended to 8,800', by 1962 to 11,600' and by 1991 to its present length of 13,000'. This very long length allows heavy widebody jets to depart on hot summer days with full loads. It was the undisputed "main runway" until the 1969 construction of what is now Runway 10-28. As east-west operations have increased and new runways are gradually being built at ORD in that orientation, 14R-32L is gradually losing its relative imporatnace, though in 2009 it still serves an important role, primarily as a departure facility in "West" airfield operations. As construction of new Runway 10C-28C progresses, it is planned that 14R-32L will be shortened to its 1958-1962 length of 8,800', eliminating its intersections with any other runway and preserving its utility for northwest departures and occasional southeast landings. It is slated for eventual decommissioning when all future runways and a west terminal complex are complete, although doing so will reduce airfield capacity in strong crosswind situations.

  15 years ago | reply | hide comment
• 
  DaveKilo

  May 6, 2010: Runway 14R-32L was permanently shortened to 9,685' in length. It no longer intersects Runway 10-28, as its southeast end is now at Taxiway "M". This will allow continued construction of new Runway 10C-28R. The Runway 32L direction is now permanently closed to landings. 32L is for takeoff only, and 14R can still be used for both takeoff and landing. The ILS approach and associated equipment for Runway 32L is being decommissioned.

  15 years ago | reply | hide comment