Chicago – Flood Strands Motorists Headed To O’Hare Airport

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    This photo from video provided courtesy of WMAQ-TV in Chicago shows air travelers wheeling their luggage toward Chicago's O'Hare International Airport Tuesday, July 1, 2014, after sudden rains flooded the Kennedy Expressway, a major thoroughfare that runs to the airport. Desperate travelers were forced to get out of taxis and haul their luggage the rest of the way to the airport. (AP Photo/Courtesy of WMAQ-TV Chicago)Chicago – A massive traffic backup caused by standing water on the expressway into Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport prompted desperate travelers to get out of cars and walk along the roadway, with their luggage in tow.

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    Flooding closed Interstate 190 to one lane about a mile from the domestic terminals on Tuesday after heavy rains hit the area overnight. O’Hare is the nation’s second-busiest airport.

    Traveler Jami Cloud tells WMAQ-TV that after being stuck for two hours in a cab, there was no other option but to walk.

    The Illinois Department of Transportation says a pumping station channeling storm runoff into a river failed. The agency thinks a construction project also contributed to the water buildup.

    Snow plows eventually pushed water off the roadway and all lanes reopened by mid-morning.


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    9 years ago

    Same thing can happen at JFK when the Belt Parkway floods.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    9 years ago

    Thank goodness Congress is refusing to pass a highway bill.

    PaulinSaudi
    PaulinSaudi
    9 years ago

    A 28% reduction in federal funds for highway programs take hold on 1 August, unless Congress acts.