Major funding has been announced for the upcoming CTA Red Line extension across the South Side. After being in the works for over 50-years, the federal government has now pledged $1.973 billion to the infrastructure project in order to get it built. Led by the Chicago Transit Authority itself, currently three teams are working on their proposals to build out the expansion and stations.
Project context for the Red Line Extension via CTA
After years of studies and initial plans created by local architecture firm Muller2, the CTA selected the three teams earlier this year made up of Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners, Kiewit Infrastructure, and a joint venture between BOWA, FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, and Milhouse. These will need to outline a schedule, workforce goals, and involvement of the DOT’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
Conceptual rendering of 103rd Station via CTA
Conceptual rendering of 103rd Station via CTA
A selection is expected in early 2024 with a year of design work following suit. The extension itself will be a 5.6-mile addition utilizing a mix of elevated and grade level tracks stretching from 95th Street down to 130th Street. Departing from the current terminus on 95th, the new route will feature four fully accessible stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and a new terminus at 130th Street.
Project context for the Red Line Extension via CTA
The expansion will also feature bus, bike, pedestrian, and park & ride facilities, along with a new train yard and shop on 120th Street near the Metra KYD facility. The work is set to reach over 100,000 Chicagoans currently without train access, announced by Senator Dick Durbin who attended a press conference along with mayor Brandon Johnson on the new funding.
Project context for the Red Line Extension via CTA
The nearly $2 billion in funding is the largest federal infrastructure grant the city has received, covering just over half of the overall $3.6 billion cost of the project. The rest will come from a specially created Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district and other local and city funds. Construction is set to commence in 2025 with a 2029 completion date previously announced.
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$3.6 BILLION FOR FOUR STATIONS AND RAIL?
Yep.. that’s even worse than 100 something million for renovation of a single station by millennium park, and we can bet new stations won’t look all that impressive at this cost. We need to start outsourcing all infrastructure projects to private companies with a competitive tender ASAP
When unions and and government get together for infrastructure projects, expect outrageous cost estimates, extensive delays and budget overruns. What proof, read about the success of Brightline in Florida which is under budget and progressing ahead of schedule.
Homes around the new redline stops are 100-220k… Will be interested to how prices change between now and 2030.
So, HB & Chip Maker, why are you guys thinking that this money is only for the four stations, did you miss the rest of the announcement? And if there are stations,there will be stairs, escalators or elevators, roofs,floors, traffic lights for the trains as well as the auto traffic on the ground, AND tracks, electrification, drainage plumbing, track bed digging & level grading of the track bed, etc. Did you guys NOT read the following? “The expansion will also feature bus, bike, pedestrian, and park & ride facilities, along with a new train yard and shop on 120th Street near the Metra KYD facility.” Your posts are typical grousing & complaining from guys who Do Not Want to comprehend the entire picture. This is a massive project with a NEW train yard and it’s not just about building four stations without the infrastructure to make it work for the commuters and the communities. I bet you guys do not live on the far South Side.
That’s awesome, DDN — maybe they make it a cool $5 billion to service a couple thousand additional riders.
I just can’t see how this is the best use of funds. It would be less expensive to upgrade the Metra Electric and we’d have money left over for other transit expansions to areas which don’t have other rail options (not to mention much needed maintenance, particularly along the Forest Park branch of the Blue Line). I’m certainly not saying that this area doesn’t need investment, but there are less expensive ways of providing the same service. This isn’t the most transit-poor area of the City.
The redline is the most dangerous line of them all