Friday, August 29, 2025  |  View in browser

Evanston Awarded $10 Million USDOT Grant for Chicago Avenue Improvement Project

Aerial view of Chicago Avenue. (Photo courtesy of Patrick Hughes, Jr.)

EVANSTON, IL - The City of Evanston has been awarded a $10.06 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, secured in partnership with the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP), to support the Chicago Avenue Multimodal Corridor Improvements Project. The total project cost is estimated at $14 million, with this newly acquired grant covering the majority of expenses, including a required 20% local match.

Earlier this year, the City also received a $3 million Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program (ITEP) grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), bringing total funding secured for the project to around $13 million.

The Chicago Avenue project will deliver transformative safety and mobility improvements along a key north-south corridor, extending a two-way separated bike lane 1.9 miles from Downtown Evanston to the Chicago city limits. This connection will provide a continuous, all-ages-and-abilities bicycling facility through Evanston and into Chicago, closing a major gap in the region’s biking network.

In addition to bike infrastructure, the project will:

• Upgrade roadway, underground utilities, traffic signals, and street lighting

• Improve bus stops for transit users

• Add safer pedestrian crossings with shorter crossing distances

• Maintain existing sidewalks and enhance streetscapes

“The Chicago Avenue project is a huge investment in Evanston’s transportation network,” said Capital Planning Bureau Chief Lara Biggs. “By prioritizing safety and accessibility, we are creating a corridor that serves everyone, whether you walk, bike, take transit, or drive.”

The City is currently advancing Phase II Engineering, which includes detailed construction plans and cost estimates. Construction is planned in partnership with IDOT for 2028.

This project reflects Evanston’s commitment to creating safer, more sustainable, and more accessible streets while improving the quality of life for residents, businesses, and visitors. For more information, visit the City’s website, call/text 847-448-4311, or simply dial 3-1-1 while in Evanston. 

Media Contact: Jessie Mayo
jmayo@cityofevanston.org
Phone: 847-448-8041