CHICAGO - Today, 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 launches the 2nd year of the Chicago Works jobs and infrastructure plan, a needs-based 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.

The City plans to target 70+ miles of arterial street resurfacing projects which include asphalt pavement resurfacing as well as pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety improvements. In addition, the City expects to reach more than 100 miles of repaving on residential streets and another 20 miles of repaving on alleys. Most importantly, the City plans to make major upgrades to public assets maintained by the City of Chicago that have a direct positive impact on the quality of life and livability of all Chicago communities.

As the City prepares for a busy construction season ahead, CDOT reminds residents and visitors to use caution when encountering work crews this summer.