Politics
River North Council Approves 2026 Infrastructure Ordinance Funding Road Repairs and Job Training
The ordinance directs city resources to specific projects that will shape commuting patterns and employment access for River North residents.
How we reported this
The River North City Council voted 8-1 on July 7 to pass the 2026 Infrastructure and Workforce Ordinance, which allocates $28 million from capital reserves to road and bridge work plus expanded training at three community sites.
The ordinance follows the Public Works Department assessment completed in May that listed 14 priority segments needing immediate attention, including the Elm Street overpass used daily by residents traveling to service jobs in the central business district.
Changes to Roads and Training Programs
Residents who drive the Oak Avenue corridor will see repaving work begin on the stretch between River Road and the industrial park, a route that serves both freight deliveries and shift workers at local warehouses. The same measure adds 180 training slots at the Northside and Southside community centers for certifications in equipment operation and facility maintenance.
City records show the training component draws directly from the workforce development line in the adopted budget, with sessions scheduled to start in October and run through the following spring.
Funding Sources and Next Steps
The ordinance states that $4.2 million of the total comes from unspent 2025 bond proceeds, while the remaining amount is taken from the general capital account that had carried a balance of $31 million at the end of the last fiscal year.
Procurement notices for the first three road contracts are expected to be posted by the Public Works Department by August 15, with construction bids reviewed at the September council meeting.
Residents seeking enrollment in the new training courses can register through the city's workforce portal beginning in September, according to the ordinance's implementation schedule.