A message from Gia Biagi, Commissioner
of the Chicago Department of Transportation
Welcome to the inaugural newsletter from the Chicago Department of Transportation! At CDOT, we oversee the 4100 miles of roads, 2100 miles of alleys, 7400 miles of sidewalk, 300 miles of bikeways, 1400 railroad viaducts, and many other infrastructure assets that connect Chicagoans to jobs, education, the region, and the world. We are an agency of over 1000 people, all dedicated to making Chicago an equitable and prosperous city for all.

This has been a challenging year for all of us. From a global pandemic to civil unrest in our streets - we've all been called to action to rethink how our city works and what role we play in its future. At CDOT, we've been working with aldermen and community organizations to reimagine how we use our streets to move around, to visit with our neighbors at a safe distance, and to demonstrate our joy and sadness.

I hope you'll continue this exploration with us as we work together to reopen and rebuild our city.
CDOT Updates August 2020
In late May CDOT launched "Our Streets", a community-based COVID-response program that invites Chicago neighborhoods to request that local roads be converted into corridors for improved, safe travel and healthy activity during the stay-at-home period and through reopening. This has resulted in the creation of key initiatives to support economic recovery and to promote social distancing including Expanded Outdoor Dining and Shared Streets. To date, over 300 restaurants have been authorized to operate outdoors and over 10 miles of streets have been converted to Shared Streets.

Please take our Shared Streets evaluation survey to let us know what you think of the program.
CDOT is proud to be part of the team that is implementing Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot’s INVEST South/West initiative to ensure future investments in South and West Side commercial corridors reflect the strategic goals of the people living and working there. CDOT has committed more than $7M in transportation-related improvements to support the initiative. This summer we replaced signs, improved pavement markings, added ADA ramps, and upgraded lighting at viaducts on three of the corridors. Two corridors are in progress and work on an additional six corridors is scheduled to begin and be completed this fall.
Commissioner Biagi addressed the City Club of Chicago on August 19, 2020. Watch the full speech to hear the Commissioner's vision for transportation in Chicago.
CDOT is expanding the Divvy bike share system. Read more about how this expansion is offering more mobility options throughout the Far South Side of Chicago. Read about the new ebike option that is ideal for longer rides.
CDOT's SAFE Ambassadors haven't let COVID slow them down this summer! They've been out and about, talking to people about traffic safety, teaching adults how to ride bikes, and hosting group bike rides to get people comfortable commuting to work on their bikes. Check out this video for tips from the SAFE Ambassadors on how to securely lock your bike.
In partnership with the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection, CDOT launched year 2 of the E-Scooter Share Pilot. Three companies will provide 10,000 e-scooters through mid-December. Take a spin on a scooter and let us know what you think by completing this feedback form.
We are moving!
CDOT's headquarters are moving! Starting in mid-September, we will be relocating to 2 N. LaSalle, just across the alley from our current home. All phone numbers will remain the same.