AUSTIN (WBBM Newsradio) -- Crews are out in force across Chicago for the start of the city's official construction season, and the Johnson Administration says some of those crews will be working to smooth out the drive.
"We are hard at work beautifying and investing in our beloved city," Mayor Brandon Johnson said Monday morning as he joined city and community leaders to kick off the season along Chicago Avenue just west of Laramie, in his home ward. "Families can expect to see more orange cones, more crews and more equipment. That's a good thing, Chicago."
The mayor was joined by William Cheaks, his newly-appointed transportation commissioner, who thanked Chicago drivers for their patience and care as they encounter those construction zones around the city: "We know this work may be disruptive."
And after a snowier-than-usual winter and a spring that's been especially rainy, Cheaks confirmed what a lot of drivers could probably sense behind the wheel.
"Pot holes have come to ... a lot extra right now," he said, adding that he met with his team last week to develop a plan for filling them in.
"We're looking at putting up a few additional crews," Cheaks said. "We'll 'wolfpack' 'em ... we can address higher numbers in certain areas so we can triage here, move to another ward, triage, triage."
Cheaks said that means other crews can continue their work on projects including curbs, pedestrian islands, protected bike lanes and ADA ramps without disruption.
CDOT chief says crews will "wolfpack" to focus on potholes
CDOT chief says crews will "wolfpack" to focus on potholes
