O’Hare 21 – Telecommunications Infrastructure

Level-1 is engineering O’Hare’s telecom infrastructure, creating the secure, scalable backbone for the airport’s next-generation expansion.

At the core of O’Hare 21 lies a massive, decade-long undertaking to rebuild the airport’s digital framework. This $8.5 billion modernization program will not only reshape the physical terminal layout but also redefine how data, connectivity, and systems power the passenger experience. From Terminal 5 to two satellite concourses and the future Global Terminal, every square foot is being engineered to support fast, resilient, and secure telecommunications infrastructure. It also signals a long-term strategy for scaling Chicago’s global connectivity and economic competitiveness, with an expected regional impact exceeding $50 billion and the creation of more than 60,000 jobs during the program’s duration. 

Delivered in carefully sequenced phases, O’Hare 21 began with an expansion of Terminal 5 and will soon include the construction of two new satellite concourses, a new Global Terminal replacing Terminal 2, and infrastructure enhancements that better integrate Terminals 1 and 3. These improvements are designed to support increasing passenger volumes, evolving aviation technologies, and the city’s goals for inclusive economic development through local participation. 

Level-1 Global Solutions is a proud member of the AECOM Hunt Clayco Joint Venture, one of the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) teams appointed to manage key O’Hare 21 projects. Our role supports the CMAR’s mission of delivering complex aviation infrastructure on time, on budget, and in alignment with the City of Chicago’s aggressive inclusion and participation goals. 

Our Scope Includes 

• Design and implementation of telecommunications infrastructure for Terminal 5 and both new satellite concourses 
• Electrical systems integration to support advanced airport-wide digital platforms and future connectivity demands 
• Collaboration with O’Hare 21 architects, engineers, and municipal stakeholders to ensure systems are code-compliant, scalable, and future-proof 
• Participation in planning and design efforts for the forthcoming Global Terminal as O’Hare’s designated IT systems integrator 
• Coordination across construction and design teams to support continuity, data resilience, and intelligent building readiness 

Level-1’s work forms the backbone of O’Hare’s next-generation digital infrastructure, equipping the airport with the connectivity and interoperability it needs to serve as a leading global aviation hub for decades to come. As Chicago looks toward the future of flight, our contributions help ensure every new terminal and concourse is built not only for today’s passengers but for the billions expected to follow.