CHICAGO— Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson joined the Department of Water Management, the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, and Ald. Emma Mittstoday to tour the site of an innovative Wing Storage pilot project designed to reduce flooding and strengthen climate resilience on Chicago's West Side.
“Every Chicagoan deserves to feel confident that their home, business and neighborhood are protected from increasingly severe storms,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “This pilot represents an important investment in resilient infrastructure that addresses the impacts of climate change while delivering long-overdue improvements for West Side communities that have experienced repeated flooding.
Through strong partnerships and innovative solutions, we are building a more resilient Chicago for generations to come.”
The $12 million infrastructure investment marks the beginning of construction on the second of two underground Wing Storage installations that will collectively provide nearly 1.7 million gallons of stormwater storage capacity.
By capturing and temporarily storing excess stormwater during heavy rainfall, these projects will help reduce street and basement flooding while protecting more than 2,900 homes, businesses, and other buildings across the 28th, 29th and 37th wards.
Wing Storage is an underground detention system that serves as an auxiliary holding tank installed beneath neighborhood streets attached to existing sewer infrastructure.
During periods of intense rainfall, the underground storage chambers temporarily collect excess stormwater before gradually releasing it into the sewer system once capacity becomes available.
This innovative approach expands local stormwater capacity without requiring large above-ground infrastructure and helps reduce flooding in surrounding neighborhoods.
“We are turning towards innovative solutions to fight flooding as our climate changes,” saidDWM Commissioner Randy Conner.“Projects like this one make it possible to address flooding more quickly and efficiently in targeted areas than replacing whole sections of our sewer system.
Combined with ongoing sewer modernization efforts, we are confident that we can make a difference for residents.”
The project is a partnership between the City of Chicago Department of Water Management and the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago, with each agency contributing toward the $12 million investment.
The first location completed this spring, is in Maypole Avenue between Cicero and Lavergne Avenues in the 29th Ward.
A The second tank is going in LeMoyne Street between Luna and Lorel Avenues in the 37th Ward.
“We’re proud to partner with the Chicago Department of Water Management, our West Side elected officials, and especially Alderwoman Emma Mitts, whose leadership and dedication have been instrumental in bringing this innovative flood mitigation project to life,” saidMWRD President Kari K.
Steele. “Together, we’re investing in resilient infrastructure that will help protect residents from stormwater challenges.”
The project follows severe flooding that impacted West Side neighborhoods during major storms in July 2023 and is part of the City's broader strategy to advance climate resilience and environmental justice through equitable infrastructure investments.
Communities expected to benefit include portions of North and South Austin, West Garfield Park and Galewood.
”For years, residents have shared the challenges that repeated flooding brings to their homes, businesses and daily lives,“ said Ald. Emma Mitts.”Today's groundbreaking is an important milestone that reflects our commitment to delivering meaningful infrastructure improvements that respond directly to the needs of our community.“
Construction will continue over the coming months with ongoing community engagement and project updates throughout implementation.
As the Wing Storage pilot advances, the City and MWRD will evaluate its performance to help inform future flood mitigation projects and strengthen Chicago's long-term strategy for building more resilient infrastructure in the face of increasingly severe weather.