The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
The Night Chicago Destroyed Meigs Field: The 2003 Runway Bulldozing Explained
Six large X's dug into Meigs' only runway settled a simmering dispute and put the airport out of commission for good.
The Night Chicago Destroyed Meigs Field: The 2003 Runway Bulldozing Explained
Merrill C. Meigs Field Airport was a single-runway facility located on Northerly Island, a man-made peninsula in Lake Michigan, serving Chicago. The airport operated from 1948 until 2003 and primarily supported general aviation after World War II.
In its early decades, the airfield grew to become the busiest single-strip airport in the United States during the 1950s, reflecting its significant activity and role in regional aviation. Improvements over time included the addition of an air traffic control tower in 1952 and a terminal building in 1961, marking advancements in its infrastructure.
The article notes Meigs Field’s historical prominence and evolution, highlighting its status and facilities without detailing specific events or dates beyond those key milestones. It does not provide information on the circumstances surrounding the airport’s closure or subsequent actions taken in 2003.
No further information is provided in the supplied material about the people involved, exact location changes, the impact of the closure, or outcomes related to the runway bulldozing.