Politics
Broadmeadows Infrastructure Referendum Measure: Projected Effects on City Jobs and Transit Services
The upcoming referendum asks Broadmeadows voters to approve bond funding that city documents project will support road upgrades and public works hiring in specific neighborhoods.
How we reported this
Voters across Broadmeadows will decide on the Infrastructure Referendum Measure during the July 15 ballot, a proposal that authorizes $185 million in bonds for road and transit projects according to the official voter guide issued by the Broadmeadows City Clerk.
The measure arrives as the city's 2026 capital budget identifies 47 miles of pavement in need of resurfacing and 12 bus routes operating below scheduled frequency, conditions that affect daily travel for residents who work at the industrial corridor along Elm Street.
Impacts on Local Employment and Services
Passage would direct funds toward hiring 320 construction and maintenance positions over three years, with priority given to firms based inside city limits, the referendum text states. Residents who rely on Route 14 buses to reach the Broadmeadows Medical Center would see added evening service if the allocation for fleet expansion is released.
Another section of the measure targets water main replacements in the Northside district, where leaks have caused 18 service interruptions since January 2025, according to municipal utility records. Workers at nearby warehouses could face fewer delays once the lines are updated.
Budget Figures and Next Steps
The Broadmeadows Finance Department projects that debt service on the bonds would require an average annual increase of $47 per residential property tax bill starting in fiscal year 2028. If approved, the first contracts would be advertised in September 2026 with construction crews expected on site by early 2027.
City staff will hold three informational sessions at the Broadmeadows Public Library before election day to explain project locations and hiring procedures listed in the measure.