Federal Government Pledges $2 Billion in Funding for Red Line Extension in Chicago

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has received a major funding boost for its long-awaited Red Line extension to the South Side. The federal government has pledged $1.973 billion for the project, which will cover just over half of the total cost.

The project: The extension will add 5.6 miles of track to the Red Line, from 95th Street to 130th Street. It will include four new stations: 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. The project will also create bus, bike, pedestrian, and park-and-ride facilities.

The benefits: The extension is expected to reach over 100,000 Chicagoans who currently do not have access to train service. It is also expected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation.

Construction is scheduled to begin in 2025 and be completed in 2029.

Additional details about the project:

• The three teams that are currently working on proposals for the project are:

  • Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners

  • Kiewit Infrastructure

  • A joint venture between BOWA, FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, and Milhouse

• The selection of a winning team is expected in early 2024.

• Design work is expected to take one year.

• The project will also include a new train yard and shop on 120th Street near the Metra KYD facility.

This is a major step forward for the Red Line extension project, which has been in the works for over 50 years. The funding from the federal government is a significant boost, and it is expected to help the project move forward quickly. The extension will provide much-needed transportation improvements to the South Side of Chicago, and it is a welcome investment in the city's future.