Chicago Midway Runway Suddenly Closes To Fix System That Stops Planes From Going Off Runway

If you're traveling out of Midway soon, you may run into some issues.

The Chicago Department of Aviation has announced the closure of Runway 22L (known as Two-Two Left) for some urgent safety repairs.

The CDA says that flight delays and cancellations are possible, with the work to be expected to be done in mid-November. So hopefully it'll be fixed in time for holiday travel.

Specifically, the problem is at the departure end of the runway. It's the Engineered Materials Arresting System (EMAS) that has been damaged by "recent aircraft activity", like jet blast. The EMAS is designed to help stop planes from veering off or overrunning the runway.

Read More: Humanoid Robot Dances At Midway Gate, Delays Flight For Southwest

The Incident In 2005

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The system repairs must be made immediately after a young boy was killed in 2005 at Midway by a jetliner that slid off the runway in snow. 6-year-old Joshua Woods was hit when Southwest Airlines Flight 1248 was trying to land in heavy snow when it slid off of the runway at Midway and onto a busy street.

Meanwhile, the CDA and FAA are warning that the runway closure could lead to cancellations and delays of flights, but that will depend on airline schedules and weather conditions.

CDA Commissioner Michael McMurray said:

Safety is the top priority at Chicago's airports, and we are working to complete these repairs safely and promptly. We're coordinating closely with our partners at the FAA and the airlines to reduce disruptions for travelers and return the airfield to normal operating conditions as quickly and safely as possible.

Without Runway 22L, Midway has 3 operational runways.