City Announces First Streets To Undergo Paving, Pothole Patching In 2019

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Some of Chicago’s most weather-worn roads may soon get a makeover.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that he is calling for an aggressive paving season in 2019 after this winter's harsh temperatures. The plan is to resurface 315 miles of city streets.

“We’ve made great progress repairing the condition of our roadways over the last eight years, repaving more than 2,160 miles of streets all across Chicago,” Mayor Emanuel said in a statement. “But we know this harsh winter season has taken a toll. And that’s why we are setting a high bar for this repaving season, with the goal of resurfacing at least 315 miles of streets this year. And we are also deploying more pothole crews to attack the problem head on.”

City agencies have identified the first 100 miles of city streets, including major roadways, residential streets, and alleys. The roadwork will begin “as soon as weather allows” and asphalt plants re-open.

To tackle the amount of pothole patching required, Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he plans to send additional crews to the streets. According to the Mayor's office, starting the first full week of March, there will be an additional 26 workers on seven new pothole crews; bringing the total number of crews working on multiple shifts, including weekends and overnights to at least 35 on weekdays.

Some of the streets slated for a resurfacing are:

  • Sheridan Road from Devon Avenue to Touhy Avenue;
  • Broadway from Gunnison Street to Foster Avenue;
  • Foster Avenue from East River Road to Harlem Avenue;
  • Dearborn Street from Madison Street to Polk Street;
  • Kedzie Avenue from Jackson Avenue to Ogden Avenue;
  • Austin Boulevard from Lake Street to North Avenue;
  • 31st Street from Lawndale Avenue to Western Avenue;
  • 51st Street from Millard Avenue to Kedzie Avenue;
  • Lafayette Avenue from Marquette Road to 79th Street; and
  • 119th Street from Ashland Avenue to Halsted Street.

According to the Mayor's office, the newly paved roads are less likely to develop potholes.

"However, in a winter such the one we’re having this year, with dramatic swings in temperature and precipitation mixing rain, sleet, ice and snow (sometime in a 24 hour period), potholes are going to develop," the Mayor said in a statement.

Since Mayor Emanuel took office, the City has resurfaced more than 2,165 miles of streets and alleyways, almost half of the City’s 4,600 miles of streets.