By: Ashmar Mandou

The City of Chicago unveiled their latest multi-year, multi-billion dollar Chicago Works Infrastructure Plan, designed to improve the public infrastructure of all 77 communities. The announcement, made on Tuesday, is part of the Chicago Works Five Year Plan, which focuses on equity and the distribution of resources in underserved communities. “Ultimately, the goal of this multi-year initiative is to thoughtfully invest in our City’s collective wealth—our streets, sidewalks, bridges, and waterfronts, etc.—to uplift the quality of life for all Chicago residents,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We’re heading into year three of our first five-year plan and, already, residents are experiencing the benefits of this work with enhanced street safety, cleaner waterways, and improved public facilities throughout our city.” Over the course of the next two years, the Chicago Works Infrastructure Plan will address “underinvestment in Chicago’s infrastructure by prioritizing projects that improve the ways we move across the City, strengthen our economic position, and increase our environmental resiliency.” The Chicago Works plan includes investments in all types of public infrastructure assets. Highlights of the 2023-2024 Plan include:  

• Aldermanic Menu Program: $216 million over two years—includes $1.5 million per Ward per year plus supplemental CDOT funding.  

• Bridges and Viaducts: $114.2 million—20 bridge replacement projects, $47.0 million for strategic bridge repairs, $8.3 million to rehabilitate 7 underpasses annually; and $12.0 million to completely reconstruct two viaducts.  

• Streets and Alleys: $251.7 million—residential and arterial street resurfacing based on the Pavement Condition Index and ADA Ramp needs. Also funds the reconstruction of WPA streets, 100 new Green Alleys.  

• Traffic Signals: $81.1 million—modernize City’s historically underfunded traffic signal system with 60 full intersection replacements, critical intersection signal modifications, traffic signal interconnectedness, and battery back-ups. 

• Sidewalks and Pedestrian Right-of-Way: $64.1 million—sidewalk repair (hazardous, vaulted, shared sidewalk programs, ADA ramps, curb and gutter, and alley aprons) to increase accessibility and public safety.  

• Facilities: $197.7 million—core facility renovations and facility upgrades to public facilities such as Department of Family and Supportive Service centers, Chicago Department of Public Health locations, Chicago Public libraries, and dozens of non-public facing facilities. This budget also includes environmental remediation of City-owned land and demolition of hazardous buildings.  

• Equipment: $153.5 million—addressing City’s aging fleet including purchasing over 280 light and medium duty electric vehicles, $107.8 million to fund the City’s IT Modernization efforts, $14.0 million for public safety cameras, and $2.2 million for bunker gear. 

“Thanks to Chicago Works, CDOT has been able to make increased investments in Chicago’s roads and sidewalks, bridges and viaducts, street lighting, and safety improvements for people walking and biking over the last two years. These infrastructure investments make Chicago a stronger, safer city and improve quality of life for residents,” said Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi. “The next phase of the capital plan will help us continue to move quickly and plan for long-term projects that spur economic growth and job creation in every Chicago community.”  To learn more about the Chicago Works program, including latest updates and employment and training opportunities, check out www.chicago.gov/ChicagoWorks.