O’Hare Airport North Detention Basin Expansion Pump Station & Revetment Mat

ABNA was the prime firm selected by the City of Chicago’s Department of Aviation (CDA) for this $26.5M project. This project provided design services for the North Detention Basin (NDB) expansion as a part of the overall O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) improvements at O’Hare International Airport. ABNA provided civil design, preparation and review of the Conceptual Design Report, Preliminary and Final Plans, Specifications, Engineer’s Estimate of Probable Construction Cost and Permitting.

This project increased storage capacity to accommodate the implementation of the OMP’s North airfield improvements. Project goals included water quality improvements, reduction of floodwater elevations on Willow-Higgins Creek via the storage of regional floodwaters and proper release of airfield storm water runoff. The existing facility consisted of three hydraulically connected cells connected to the WHFCR. These cells were merged into a single basin to achieve the desired storage volume.

For the pump station, ABNA’s team redesigned several of the internal workings of the pump station with site improvements. Additionally, ABNA evaluated areas of the revetment mat and provided recommendations to the OPM for repairs.