Chicago Department of Transportation

10/06/2023

More Divvy stations and bikes are coming to Chicago! Today we joined Northwest Center and Alderman Felix Cardona, Jr. to cut the ribbon on a new station, bringing classic pedal Divvy Bikes to Belmont Cragin and Hermosa. Hundreds more stations will be added citywide by 2025.

Not only does Divvy serve all of Chicago, this influx of new stations and bikes will ensure every neighborhood has more options and equitable access to both e-bikes and classic bikes.

10/04/2023

This week, work began on improvements to Milwaukee Avenue between North Ave. and Campbell Ave. that will make the street safer and more inviting for everyone. The project includes:
🚲Protected bike lanes
🚏Improved bus stops
🚶‍♀️Safer intersections & reduced pedestrian crossing distances

The "complete streets" project will impact Milwaukee between North and Campbell avenues. The city is advising cyclists to avoid the strip until work is finished later this year.

09/27/2023

Crews are making great progress upgrading the Dearborn bike lane to a concrete-protected lane, creating a safer and more comfortable bike route through River North! The project includes pedestrian bumpouts and refuge islands to shorten crossing distances for people walking.

Check out the Chicago Cycling Strategy to learn more about how we’re building out low-stress bike infrastructure across Chicago:https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/bike/2023/2023_Chicago%20Cycling%20Update.pdf

09/16/2023

Celebrated the start of construction on a safer, more walkable North Lincoln Avenue with Alderperson Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Chicago & Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce! The streetscape project, which spans Lincoln between Western Ave and Catalpa, enhances public space and supports economic development. Improvements include:

• Wider sidewalks, upgrades to ADA ramps and crosswalks
• Protected bike lanes
• Permanent & expanded Ainslie Arts Plaza
• Community gathering space at Catalpa and Lincoln
• New lighting, street trees, community identifiers & more!

Read more here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/future_projects_andconcepts/news/2023/september/cdot--40th-ward-alderperson-vasquez-break-ground-on-north-lincol.html

09/07/2023

🚧🚧Traffic Alert Reminder 🚧🚧
Pre-staging work for upcoming joint repairs and pavement patching on South DuSable Lake Shore Drive will begin tomorrow, September 8. Southbound DL*D will be reduced to one lane from 9am-4pm. All lanes will reopen by 4pm.

The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are an important tool for ending the global pandemic. Vaccines protect you and the people around you, reducing the spread of COVID-19. Learn more at Learn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax.

09/01/2023

CDOT was in Gage Park this week engaging with residents about building a Neighborhood Bike Network on the Southwest Side to allow residents to more easily get to all the places they want and need to go by bike. Thanks to our partners at PODER!

Help us make biking better in Brighton Park, Gage Park, and McKinley Park! If you live, work, or travel in these neighborhoods, take this survey to help us better understand how you get around, where you need and want to go: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/swsbike

08/31/2023

Check out our Complete Streets project on Belmont Ave!

Along with protected bike lanes, improvements include reduced crossing distances for people walking, bus boarding islands, and concrete refuge islands, creating a better, safer street for everyone.

Belmont is now a great option for those seeking a low-stress east-west bike route across the expressway and the river.

08/21/2023

Happy first day of school, Chicago Public Schools! Remember to use extra caution while driving, be alert for people walking and biking, and slow down in school zones.

08/11/2023

August 11 is and a perfect day to celebrate a new community garden in Bronzeville, launched in partnership with CDOT & 811 Chicago, Greencorps Chicago Terra Firma, and the 46th Street and Vincennes Block Club and Community Garden.

This is an exciting new collaboration to raise awareness about 811 Chicago and the importance of “calling before you dig,” while beautifying public spaces and neighborhoods.
https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/conservation_outreachgreenprograms/news/2023/august/on-national-811-day--cdot-and-greencorps-chicago-launch--811-chi.html

08/09/2023

Today we celebrated newly completed improvements to Augusta Boulevard in the Ukrainian Village and West Town neighborhoods that are making the street safer for everyone:
🚶‍♀️Safer intersections & reduced pedestrian crossing distances
🚲Protected bike lanes, providing a low-stress connection to Milwaukee Ave
🚸Lower speed limit

You can read more about the project here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/bike/news/2023/august/cdot--alderman-la-spata-cut-ribbon-on-augusta-boulevard-complete.html

08/09/2023

This week we broke ground on a multi-phase project to rehabilitate four viaducts of Canal Street between Taylor Street and Madison Street that serve as both a major corridor into Chicago’s Central Business District and as the roof of Chicago Union Station.

Learn more about the project, including info on transit reroutes, pedestrian access, and traffic impacts at cdotcanalprojects.com

08/04/2023

CDOT will begin its project to rehabilitate the Canal St viaduct the evening of Monday, August 7, requiring a long-term full closure of Canal Street between Jackson and Adams. This is the start of a multi-phase project to reconstruct four viaducts of Canal Street that serve as a major corridor into the Central Business District and as the roof over parts of Union Station.

You can learn more about the project, including info on transit reroutes, pedestrian access, and traffic impacts at cdotcanalprojects.com

08/03/2023

This week CDOT Commissioner Biagi stopped by the Greencorps Chicago Youth Program (GCYP) to celebrate another great year of our green-industry summer youth program. GCYP introduces young people to skills, professionals, places, and events involved with sustainability. This year, more than 200 Chicago Public Schools participants learned to build a bicycle, perform basic bike maintenance, and worked on environmental projects like planting, gardening, and tree mulching. 🌳🚲🌿

08/03/2023

The Leavitt Street Greenway will create a continuous connection for bicyclists, from Diversey Parkway near the North Branch of the Chicago River up to Rosehill Cemetery.

07/26/2023

Join us on August 2nd to learn more and provide feedback on plans to extend the Bloomingdale Trail east of the current terminus at Walsh Park. Exhibits will be on display from 5 - 7 p.m., with a presentation from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Bloomingdale Trail Chicago Park District City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development

07/25/2023

Check out the new expanded pedestrian space and contraflow bike lane on Wellington at Kimball. Nice neighborhood connection to the new protected bike lanes on Kedzie, which can get you to the upcoming Belmont complete streets project.

Take a look at CDOT's Chicago Cycling Strategy to see how we are rapidly expanding the bike network and making our streets safer for everyone!https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/bike/2023/2023_Chicago%20Cycling%20Update.pdf

07/25/2023

07/15/2023

07/14/2023

Safety improvements are underway on 18th Street from Canal to Wentworth, where crews have begun upgrading the bike lane to Qwick Kurb protection, providing a low-stress connection over the South Branch of the Chicago River.

07/11/2023

Clark Street between Grand and Kinzie is back OPEN for outdoor dining and neighbors to enjoy this summer and fall!

Chicago’s new outdoor dining program supports local businesses while creating inviting outdoor spaces. Learn more about the program, including info on eligibility and the application process, at Chicago.gov/OutdoorDining

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/portion-of-clark-street-closes-in-river-north-to-expand-outdoor-dining/3184121/

A stretch of Clark Street in River North has closed and will remain shut down for several months in an effort to expand outdoor dining in the Chicago neighborhood.

07/03/2023

Join CDOT and many other City departments on July 13 at the 10th Annual Procurement Symposium. Learn about government contracting opportunities, funding, grants, certifications, and other business resources. We hope to see you there! Register here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dps/provdrs/events/svcs/2023Symposium.html

06/28/2023

Happy 10th Birthday, Divvy Bikes! 🚲

Bikeshare has become part of the fabric of Chicago over the last decade. We look forward to continuing to provide safe, convenient, and sustainable ways for people to get around our City with Divvy!

06/21/2023

As a sign it’s officially summer, today was the final day of bridge lifts for the season, allowing boats to safely move from storage to harbors in Lake Michigan. Thanks to CDOT’s team of bridge operators, engineers, electricians, ironworkers, & more for their work throughout the spring boat runs and for keeping Chicago’s bascule bridges safe and operational year-round.

06/16/2023

Do you live, work, or travel in Brighton Park, Gage Park, and McKinley Park? Participate in a short survey to help us better understand how you get around and the important destinations, connections, and barriers to moving around the neighborhoods.

To take the survey in English, click here: surveymonkey.com/r/SWSBike

Tome la encuesta en Español aquí: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWSBikeEs

06/15/2023

Join the next Chicago Mobility Collaborative on June 22 and participate in one of the four community conversations. The full agenda can be found on the website bit.ly/chicagomobilitycollaborative

Acompañanos a la siguiente reunion de la Colaborativa de Movilidad de Chicago el 22 de Junio y participa en una de las cuatro conversaciones comunitarias. Puedes leer la agenda para la junta en nuestra pagina electronica bit.ly/chicagomobilitycollaborative

06/15/2023

Smarter, safer scooters are hitting the streets of Chicago! 🛴

A year ago Divvy became the first bikeshare system in the country to add docked scooters, now we’re rolling out the next generation of scooter, giving people more car-free options to get around Chicago.

The new scooters include new dual handbrakes, turn signals, advanced sidewalk riding detection, a phone holder for easy navigation, plus a larger battery and increased range.

06/13/2023

HAPPENING NOW: Media Briefing on NASCAR Chicago Street Race Closures and Alternate Routes.

06/12/2023

For gun violence awareness month, we worked with our partners at The Faith Community of Saint Sabina, Women, Infants & Children, Chicago Department of Public Health, Greencorps Chicagos Chicago Department of Transportation to celebrate the construction of the first Adopt a Lot Garden. Through the program, we aim to commemorate those lost to gun violence while also building a vibrant space for community.

06/09/2023

Great progress on Kedzie between Diversey to Addison where crews are upgrading the existing buffered bike lane to a concrete protected lane. Green pavement markings have been installed and concrete curbs will be going in next week!

06/09/2023

A little over one year since the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) announced it would give away 5,000 bikes, the program has distributed 913 free bikes to Chicagoans.

12/22/2022

That’s a wrap on in 2022! This year CDOT distributed more than 500 free bikes to eligible residents in the inaugural year of the program.

Along with a new bike, we also provided a helmet and safety & maintenance equipment. And the Chicago's SAFE Ambassadors provided residents with resources to confidently travel the City’s bikeway network and keep their bikes working for years to come. Huge thanks to Working Bikes, West Town Bikes & Greencorps Chicago for their partnership in making this program a reality.

Along with improving & expanding the City’s bikeway network, CDOT is committed to making biking an affordable and accessible option for more people. With the support of Chicago Mayor's Office Chicago Recovery Plan, we look forward to growing this program to give more residents access to affordable & climate-friendly mobility options.

The application will reopen 2023. Stay tuned for more info early next year.

You can reach more about the first year of the program here: https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/future_projects_andconcepts/news/2022/december/cdot-distributes-more-than-500-free-bikes-and-safety-equipment-i.html

12/16/2022

Last year CDOT released our Strategic Plan for Transportation — a three-year framework to develop a safer, more equitable and sustainable transportation system that delivers for Chicago. We recently published our Year 1 Update report, which outlines just a portion of the critical work CDOT employees and partners have been engaged in over the past year. You can read the Year 1 Update here:

https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/cdot/CDOT%20Projects/Strategic_Plan/CDOT-Strategic-Plan-Year-1-Update.pdf

12/14/2022

Working closely with our partners at the Chicago Transit Authority, CDOT recently installed new permanent bus-only lanes on Chicago Avenue between Western and Ashland Avenues. 🚌

These new and improved lanes will help buses avoid getting stuck in traffic congestion and keep other vehicles clear of areas where buses need priority, like bus stops. This helps buses travel faster and stay on schedule, and allows for easier boarding – making riding the bus a more reliable and attractive travel option for Chicagoans. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cdot/provdrs/transit_facilities/news/2022/december/CDOTCTAbuslanes.html

12/13/2022

12/10/2022

Work is underway on the Lawrence Ave Streetscape! Today CDOT joined Alderman Andre Vasquez, 40th Ward Chicago & Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce to celebrate the start of the project that stretches from Western to the Chicago River and will create a more walkable, inviting street that supports economic development.

The project features a variety of infrastructure upgrades, including:
🚶Widened sidewalks, bump-outs, & pedestrian refuge island
🚲Contraflow bike lane on Francisco connecting to the North Shore Channel Trail
🌳Plaza space on the corner of Washtenaw & Lawrence

12/08/2022

Hope to see you tomorrow at the first CMC in-person meeting. Join us at Garfield Park Fieldhouse at 6:00 pm. This will be an in-person meeting only, a recording of the meeting will be posted on CDOT’s website. To get a copy of tomorrow’s agenda and to RSVP for the event visit bit.ly/chicagomobilitycollaborative. ASL interpreters will be provided, for other accessibility requests please email [email protected]

11/30/2022

🚨Greencorps Chicago is hiring for the 2023 season

Greencorps is the City's green-industry employment program with on-the-job training for individuals with barriers to employment.

Learn more and apply here: https://greencorpschicago.org/how-to-apply/

11/29/2022

The next Chicago Mobility Collaborative meeting is Thursday, December 8 at the Garfield Park Field House.

Join community members, stakeholders, & CDOT staff as we work together to create better streets and impactful initiatives for all. RSVP here: bit.ly/chicagomobilitycollaborative

ASL interpreters will be provided. To request any other accessibility needs, please email Romina Castillo at [email protected]

11/21/2022

This year CDOT and the Chicago Department of Aviation implemented the Midway Smart Corridor Project – an innovative new system that provides real-time traffic information to people traveling to and from Chicago Midway International Airport. This helps people plan their travel and balances traffic along arterial streets around the airport. New monitors installed inside Midway Airport display travel times to downtown and various suburban locations by car, bus, and train. And dynamic message boards on I-55 show travel times to Midway through Central Ave., Cicero Ave., & Pulaski Rd., with the goal of better balancing traffic from I-55 to the airport between the three approaches.

11/20/2022

Today on World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims we honor and remember those who have lost their lives in traffic crashes. Last year 174 people were killed in traffic crashes in Chicago, while across the U.S. traffic fatalities reached a 16-year high.

Creating safer streets for everyone — whether you are walking, biking, taking transit, or driving — requires a comprehensive approach, including sustained infrastructure investments that deter speeding and enhance safety.

Thanks to ’s Chicago Works capital plan, over the next two years Chicago will invest $58 million towards Complete Streets improvements such as new and upgraded bike lanes, curb extensions, pedestrian refuge islands, high-visibility crosswalks & more. Working together, we can eliminate traffic deaths and life-altering injuries in Chicago.