Duckworth’s ‘Don’t Miss Your Flight’ bill aims to fix last-minute delays en route to airports

There’s a special kind of angst that comes from being within sight of O’Hare International Airport, only to run smack into traffic or transit dysfunction.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth hopes to reduce that stress. The Hoffman Estates Democrat introduced the “Don’t Miss Your Flight Act” Thursday with co-sponsor Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee. It seeks to upgrade ground transportation in and out of airports.

“It’s that final bit that makes it difficult for passengers to connect, especially when they’ve got all their luggage with them,” Duckworth said.

The bill proposes using Highway Trust Fund revenues to create a grant program for road, bridge, tunnel and public transit improvements within five miles of an airport. Eligible projects would cut congestion, add lanes, expand access or rebuild infrastructure.

Typically, smaller projects lose out to major airport construction work when it comes to grants and the new law could level the playing field, Duckworth noted.

“It could be a big help for O’Hare because you could expand rail service” at Metra’s O’Hare Transfer Station on the North Central Service Line, Duckworth said.

“You could also improve I-190,” she added.

Asked about support in Congress, Duckworth said, “we have Republican buy-in on this. It’s a big problem in places like Texas and Alabama.”

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