A Look Back on CDOT's Accomplishments in 2021 |
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Despite many challenges due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, 2021 was a year of major accomplishments for CDOT. We launched Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s five-year, $3.7 billion Chicago Works infrastructure plan. The plan relies on data to select and prioritize investments across the City, with an emphasis on equity and safety. The goal is to create jobs and spur the City’s recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic while addressing a decades-long backlog of infrastructure needs.
To guide the implementation of Chicago Works CDOT also unveiled a Strategic Plan for Transportation that was developed through robust internal and external stakeholder participation. The plan provides a framework to reimagine Chicago’s streets and transportation assets to address historic economic, racial, and social inequities that have long plagued the City.
CDOT also completed an unprecedented number of projects designed to improve safety for people walking and biking, including 400 pedestrian safety projects and more than 45 miles of new and upgraded bike lanes. In 2021 we also celebrated the completion of two major pedestrian and bike infrastructure projects, the Navy Pier Flyover and 312 RiverRun.
With funding from Chicago Works, CDOT is on track to grow the existing bike network by 100 miles in 2021 and 2022, reaching a total of 400 miles by the end of this year. Divvy - which smashed its old annual ridership by the end of September - added an additional 3,500 electric assist bikes to Chicago’s streets in 2021, on top of the 3,500 e-bikes deployed in the first phase of the expansion in 2020.
Chicago Works funding for CDOT included more than $450 million of infrastructure modernization projects that were intended to enhance the quality of life for all Chicagoans. Work accomplished in 2021 included repaving 165 miles of residential and arterial streets and alleys; 6,000 ADA compliant curb cuts; and installation of 1,950 new streetlight poles and wiring.
The infrastructure plan is also supporting the Mayor Lightfoot’s INVEST South/West program. It funds more than $100 million in investments within ISW communities including a dozen streetscape improvement projects, bridges, viaduct improvements, and arterial resurfacing.
We couldn't do this work without our staff who continue to show tremendous creativity and dedication. Thanks to their commitment, we are already on our way to another successful year!
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CDOT Updates January 2022 |
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The Chicago Smart Lighting Program, a four-year project that is being carried out by CDOT, was featured in a report by the NBC News Climate Unit. The program improves efficiency of CDOT's Division of Electrical Operations (DEO) by creating a wireless lighting management system that provides outage updates and reduces response times when there is an outage, as explained by Tommy Hughes, DEO Construction (pictured above). The project is nearing its conclusion and includes converting more than 280,000 outdated, hazy, orange high-pressure sodium streetlights to high-efficiency LED lights. The new LEDs produce clearer and crisper light on streets and sidewalks, which greatly improves nighttime visibility. The new lights also reduce energy usage and electricity costs - CDOT expects to save $100 million in reduced electricity costs over the first ten years of the program.
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CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi joined Olive-Harvey College President Kimberly Hollingsworth, City Colleges of Chicago Chancellor Juan Salgado, and Alderman Michelle Harris to unveil a new Divvy station at Olive-Harvey College. City Colleges of Chicago also announced a new initiative that covers the cost of an annual Divvy membership for all students. The membership provides unlimited rides of up to 45 minutes for a full year on Classic blue Divvy bikes. Students will only be responsible for paying for overage fees that are accrued, and discounted per-minute e-bike fees outside of Divvy’s fee waiver zone.
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CDOT Commissioner Gia Biagi joined Drew Hines (pictured above), Program Director of Greencorps Chicago, and other public and private sector partners to celebrate the graduation of a group of 25 trainees from Greencorps Chicago, the City's green jobs training program. The graduates spent nine months in the paid training program, providing vital support for efforts to clean and green Chicago communities. Greencorps is recruiting for the 2022 season - apply now!
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811 Chicago, the City's damage prevention system, was ranked as one of the top in the country in a new national report by the Infrastructure Protection Coalition. 811 Chicago is a free, 24-hour service network system established to prevent contractors and private citizens from hitting any existing utility lines when digging. Protect Chicago and call 811 before you dig!
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On October 12, 2021, CDOT’s Division of Electrical Operations (DEO) was presented the “Utility of the Year” award by the Greater Chicago Damage Prevention Council (GCDPC), the premier non-governmental utility damage prevention organization in Chicago. The award recognized DEO’s efforts to ensure the safety all of public way users. CDOT Deputy Commissioner Craig Turner (pictured above, on the left) accepted the award on behalf of DEO.
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CDOT currently has 15 seasonal positions open for hoisting engineers. Visit the Chicago CAREERS website and search "Department of Transportation" in the drop down menu under "Organization" for more information.
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