On this page, you will find information on current and completed infrastructure projects taking place around the 1st Ward.

Click here to see our Participatory Budgeting website!

Current Projects

+ California Water Main Replacement

Project Status (04/06/26)

Overview: (ongoing work along California from Armitage to North Ave)

This week: The remaining lead water services are scheduled to be replaced.

No Parking Signs:

“No Parking” signs have been posted as the contractor staged materials and equipment along the work zone from Armitage to North Ave.

Next week: Same as above.

Lane closure and traffic control:

This week: Northbound Lane closed from North to Armitage.

Water Shutdowns:

This week: Temporary shutdowns for individual homes receiving service line replacements.
Next week: Final connections pending final service transfers.

Water main status:

This week: Final service line replacements.
Next Week: Final connections.

Water Main Testing and Disinfection

Water main testing and disinfection are completed.

Water Service Transfer/LSLR:

This week: Final service line replacements are scheduled.

Restoration status:

Final connections and concrete caps are awaiting completion of water service transfers and final connections. Restoration will begin pending the completion of the final water main connection (weather dependent). Anticipated late Spring 2026.

Archive of status updates, detour plans, and more can be found here!

Upcoming Projects

This overview is intended to give 1st Ward residents a heads up of some of the Capital Plan projects that will be taking place in and around the ward over the remainder of 2026.

The estimated start dates provided are tentative. Anything from severe weather to emergencies at other work sites can cause disruptions and delays to construction schedules.

We know construction in Chicago can be frustrating, disruptive, and inconvenient at times. The 1st Ward Office will be in regular communication with city departments and contractors for updates and advocate on behalf of residents when expectations aren’t being met.

The projects included here will improve public safety in the 1st Ward and bring lasting benefits to residents once completed.

+ Grand Avenue Reconstruction

WHO: Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT)

WHAT: CDOT will be installing Complete Streets safety improvements along this stretch of Grand Ave such as:

Bus boarding islands to streamline transit so buses do not need to merge in and out of traffic at stops
Pedestrian refuge islands to reduce crossing distances for people walking across Grand Ave
Upgraded traffic signals to improve accessibility and make the experience at intersections safer for pedestrians and drivers
Protected bike lanes to physically separate bikers from motor vehicle traffic
and more!

Traffic will be reduced to one lane in each direction and will shift from the north or south sides of Grand Ave to create space for construction work zones. Due to the size, materials, and equipment needed for these projects parking will be fully restricted during the duration of this phase. Our office will be working with the Department of Finance (DoF) to allow customers of impacted businesses to access permit parking zones in the surrounding area.

WHERE: Grand Ave from Wood St to Ogden Ave

WHY: To make the street safer and more inviting for everyone! Since the completion of reconstruction on the initial segment of Grand between Chicago Ave and Damen Ave, CDOT has recorded:

3.3 times fewer pedestrian injuries
Injuries across all modes of transit have decreased by 13%
Zero severe crashes (compared to an annual average of four severe crashes before reconstruction)

WHEN: The contract for this project has been approved! CDOT is currently discussing the traffic impacts of this work. You may begin to see the staging of construction equipment and potential lane closures as early as this month. The stretch of Grand from Damen to Ashland (Stage 1) is expected to be completed by the end of 2026. Stage 2 (Ashland to Ogden) is expected to begin in 2027.

+ Milwaukee Avenue Water Main Replacement

WHO: Chicago Department of Water Management (DWM)

WHAT: DWM is replacing the 100+ year old lead water main

WHERE: Milwaukee Ave from Western Ave to Fullerton Ave

WHEN: Estimated to begin 2026 Q2

WHY: To improve infrastructure reliability and reduce lead exposure to thousands of Logan Square residents

+ Arterial Street Lighting Projects

WHO: CDOT

WHAT: CDOT is replacing older street lights with new mid-mount or “piggyback” LED lights

WHERE: Armitage Ave from California Ave to Kedzie Ave; and California Ave from Fullerton Ave to Shakespeare Ave

WHEN: Estimated to begin:

Armitage Ave (2026 Q1)
California Ave (2026 Q3)

WHY: New lighting increases visibility improving public safety and reduces light pollution. This stretch of California also experienced the highest volume of outages in the ward.