ChiStreetWork Creates Greater Data Transparency Between City of Chicago and Residents

Collins Engineers, Inc. is excited to work with the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) to implement the new public-facing site that elevates data transparency to new heights. ChiStreetWork (https://chistreetwork.chicago.gov/map) is a web-based tool, announced by Mayor Rahm Emanuel, that displays current construction and road repair projects, newly resurfaced streets, and special event information in the City.

Collins has been working closely with CDOT on the successful establishment and administration of a Project Coordination Office (PCO). The PCO ensures public right-of-way coordination and collaboration while saving time and money for the City of Chicago and its residents.

Through the PCO process, participants identified the importance of implementing a single-source citywide project coordination solution to effectively and holistically manage projects and assets in the public way. The cradle-to-grave program approach of the PCO has allowed utilities to reach their own internal infrastructure goals with minimal impact on their schedules and budgets.

Through the PCO program, CDOT continues to realize increased benefits including longer pavement service life, improved pavement conditions, less construction impact on the public through better scheduling, and labor resource cost savings through technology from dotMaps enhancements and now the public release of ChiStreetWork.

“Chicago has become a national leader in making data available and accessible,” Mayor Emanuel said. “ChiStreetWork enhances transparency, increases accountability and puts a host of data about ongoing infrastructure work and special events at the fingertips of Chicago’s residents.”

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) initiative uses the familiar Google Maps interface and allows Chicago residents and visitors to easily find out what projects could affect travel plans and view permits for water, sewer, gas or electrical projects with an impact on City streets.

“CDOT is excited to roll out the new ChiStreetWork website that creates an unprecedented level of transparency for information about work going on in the public way,” said CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld. “Our goal is to make ChiStreetWork the go-to site for City residents to find out what kind of construction work and special events are happening on their streets and in their neighborhoods.”

Collins applies best management practices to resolve construction sequencing issues and minimize the impact of infrastructure improvements on the public. The asset life cycle becomes a part of the decision-making process that includes scheduling construction activity, coordinating with other infrastructure improvements, and managing related lane closures and detours.

Collins implemented groundbreaking solutions such as dotMaps, which is an internal collaborative public way coordination tool for 29 Office of Underground members, aldermen, and other public and private agency stakeholders totaling more than 900 users. With Collins as CDOT’s consultant for the successful establishment and management of the PCO, the City has seen savings of over $153 million. Other team members over the course of the program have included SADA Systems, DB Sterlin Consultants, Inc., EJM Engineering, Inc., RGE, and SQN Associates, LLC.