CDOT ahead of schedule as the City launches Year Two of the “Chicago Works” Program

 CDOT ahead of schedule as the City launches Year
Two of the “Chicago Works” Program

CHICAGO – On Wednesday, March 30, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot joined CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi and City employees to officially commemorate the start of the 2022 construction season. This event also launched the 2nd year of the Chicago Works jobs and infrastructure plan, a needsbased data-driven funding plan that focuses on investing in communities through infrastructure. The plan seeks to spur recovery and improve the quality of daily life in every
neighborhood across the city by prioritizing equity, safety, and efficient project delivery.

“As more and more residents get back to work and travel around our city, it is vital that we continue our efforts to improve the infrastructure they rely on,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “That’s why I am excited to kick off construction season by launching the 2nd year of the Chicago
Works Capital Plan, which will allow CDOT and other City Departments to make significant progress in their efforts to improve our city’s roadways, bridges, lighting, ADA accessibility, and other high priority infrastructure. By starting this effort early this year, we will be able to maximize the amount of work we will complete this construction season.”

The first two years of the five-year Chicago Works Capital Plan were approved by the City Council in November 2020. The full plan will provide $3.7 billion to improve the quality of life for all Chicago residents by investing in sustainable transportation infrastructure, updated City facilities, and modern equipment in all 77 communities. The plan also corrects decades of underinvestment, particularly
on the South and West Sides of Chicago.

“I am pleased to stand with Mayor Lightfoot today as we begin our busy 2022 construction season,” said Alderman Howard B. Brookins, Jr., Chairman of the Committee of Transportation and Public Way. “Through The Chicago Works Capital Plan, city agencies are working together to deliver new and visible projects in every Chicago community.”

The first installment of Chicago Works invests $1.4 billion in the first two years of the five-year plan. With an eye toward long-term local economic development and job creation, Chicago Works dedicates funding for the repair and replacement of traditional infrastructure
like roads, bridges, sidewalks, ADA-compliant accessible crosswalk ramps, streetlights, and traffic signals. It also includes more than $100 million for a dozen new streetscape projects in INVEST South/West neighborhoods – including funding for public art, tree planting,
and pedestrian safety improvements.

“Chicago Works is an unprecedented opportunity for us to invest in our infrastructure network,” said CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi. “We’re ready to get to work on projects in neighborhoods all over the city and get a jump-start on the construction season this year.”

As we move into construction season, Chicagoans will see work taking place all over the city, including street resurfacing which will start in earnest next month.

To get a jump start on resurfacing work, seasonal workers were called back a month early in March to complete much-needed concrete work and ADA upgrades.

Latest Stories

Latest Podcast

Quandra-Urban Market Exchange