CHICAGO – Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined leadership from Chicago's infrastructure departments, sister agencies and union representatives to celebrate the beginning of the 2025 construction season. As part of Mayor Johnson’s Build Better Together initiative, this event highlights the various infrastructure and capital improvement projects funded by the general obligation capital improvement bond. To access photos of today’s event, click here. 

“Today marks more than just the start of construction season—it represents our commitment to building a better Chicago together,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Our Build Better Together initiative is about creating jobs, improving the quality of life for everyday Chicagoans, and ensuring every community sees the tangible benefits of our investments. The new signage unveiled today will help residents recognize these improvements as part of our coordinated citywide effort to strengthen Chicago’s foundation for generations to come.” 

 The Build Better Together (BBT) logo serves as a visual representation of the intergovernmental approach to investment, signifying the city's commitment to modernization, investment and progress while ensuring that residents can easily identify the projects that improve their communities. 

“Across departments and agencies, we coordinate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year – not just during construction season,” said Lori Lypson, Deputy Mayor of Infrastructure and Services. “We show up in neighborhoods when and where we are needed most – whether it’s for planned improvements, emergency repairs, natural disasters, demonstrations, block parties, concerts, or festivals. That’s the full force of government Building Better Together.” 

In 2025, residents can expect to see increased construction activity in neighborhoods across Chicago as crews work to: 

• Resurface over 175 miles of residential and arterial streets  
• Complete 300 blocks of new residential lighting and 50 blocks of arterial lighting, along with targeted light pole replacements and wiring stabilization repairs   
• Upgrade over 400 intersections with pedestrian safety improvements, with a focus on school and park zones and high traffic crash locations 
• Install 70 blocks of new Green Alleys, helping improve stormwater drainage and reduce flooding in alleys  
• Replace 12 miles of water main and 9 miles of sewer main  
• Line 5,000 sewer structures  
• Replace 10,000 sewer restrictions  
• Replace 8,000 lead service lines  
• Invest over $300M to make improvements to 2 water treatment plants and 12 pumping stations 
• Break ground on Midway Runway 13C/31C, a $57M initiative to repave the main runway and intersecting taxiways and enhance safety   
• Expand Concourse L, a three-gate expansion to increase gate capacity at Terminal 3 and improve the overall passenger experience at O’Hare International Airport 

“As we begin a new construction season, the Build Better Together initiative is supporting increased investments in Chicago’s roads and sidewalks, bridges and viaducts, street lighting, and other critical upgrades that make our city safer and more connected. These improvements will enhance quality of life, support neighborhood vitality, and help us build a stronger, more resilient Chicago for years to come,” said Tom Carney, Department of Transportation Commissioner. 

“At 2FM, we aren’t just maintaining Chicago’s vital infrastructure to ensure city services run smoothly—we’re building for tomorrow. From our partnership with Kennedy King College automotive students to the expansion of our electric fleet vehicles, we remain committed to developing the next generation of skilled workers and creating opportunities for growth to put 2FM on the map,” said Julie Hernandez-Tomlin, Department of Fleet and Facility Management Commissioner. 

“The Department of Water Management is looking forward to addressing our legacy infrastructure issues with transformative infrastructure solutions as part of Build Better Together,” said Randy Conner, Department of Water Management Commissioner. “We are proud of our work to expand our lead service line replacement to the block level and design an innovative pilot water storage system to reduce flooding in vulnerable communities. In addition to our Capital Improvement Projects, we will continue coordinating with our sister agencies to ensure our critical water infrastructure operates reliably and sustainably for generations of Chicagoans while minimizing neighborhood disruption.” 

“The Department of Streets and Sanitation workers are dedicated and ready to continue providing critical City services and make necessary improvements to our neighborhoods this construction season. We are proud to join the full force of City government and work collaboratively to ensure that our communities are clean, safe, and vibrant for all residents and visitors to enjoy,” said Cole Stallard, Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner. 

“Just as the CTA strengthens the fabric of Chicago by connecting its communities through our bus and rail networks, the investments we are making in our system help serve as a cornerstone Mayor Brandon Jonson’s “Building Better Together” program,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “By investing in initiatives such as the All Stations Accessibility Program, the Red Purple Modernization project and the Red Line Extension the CTA isn’t just pouring concrete, we’re creating pathways to equal and accessible access to opportunities, education, healthcare and essential services. We are committed to working alongside Mayor Johnson to ensure our investments help support the shared vision of a stronger, more accessible Chicago.” 

“Under the leadership and guidance of our Chairman, Mayor Brandon Johnson, Board of Commissioners and in collaboration with our Municipal and County partners, together we have had great success delivering critical community investments. Our completed work from 2024 and projected work through 2025 represent over $200M of investments in our communities. Our collective work is worth it, and our communities are worth it.” said Ray Giderof, Executive Director of the Public Building Commission.  

“The Department of Procurement Services (DPS) prioritizes maximizing opportunities for all businesses, especially small businesses, minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disability-owned enterprises, by empowering them to actively participate in City contracts and removing barriers of entry to the procurement process,” said Sharla Roberts, Chief Procurement Officer. “We encourage community involvement in contracting opportunities while fostering collaboration for a stronger future, with innovation and inclusivity at the forefront of our efforts to build a better Chicago together.” 

“The Department of Buildings is committed to more cost-effective, sustainable, accessible, and innovative construction and rehabilitation of buildings in every neighborhood by collaborating to build a better Chicago. This interagency approach supports our mission to ensure city government is a reliable partner for homeowners, businesses, and developers as they enhance the quality of life and create economic opportunities citywide,” said Marlene Hopkins, Department of Buildings Commissioner.  

“Under Mayor Johnson’s leadership, we’re proud to carry forward the vision of Building Better Together at O’Hare and Midway,” said Duane Hayden, First Deputy Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation. “Airports are always evolving, and in 2025, the CDA is embarking on one of our most ambitious construction seasons yet. From breaking ground on the first new concourse at O’Hare in more than 30 years to major upgrades to Midway’s concessions and airfield, we're focused on delivering projects that enhance the traveler experience while minimizing operational impacts.” 

As construction activity increases across the city, residents are encouraged to: 

• Visit ChiStreetWork.gov to explore the City’s interactive map of active and upcoming public way construction work in Chicago. ChiStreetWork allows the public to search for permits for work in the right-of-way and special events by Ward, neighborhood, intersection, or street address.  
• Download the CHI311 app to report issues or request City services  
• Connect with your local alderperson’s office to stay informed on ongoing projects   

About Build Better Together 

Build Better Together is designed to provide Chicagoans with access to what they need to live, work and thrive and prioritizes breaking down barriers to progress and making investments that directly improve people’s lives. This initiative is based on three foundational pillars–quality and affordable housing for all, business innovation and job growth, and neighborhood investments and vibrant communities.  

For more information, please visit https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/progs/build_better_together.html  

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