WASHINGTON — The Federal Transit Administration has signed a grant agreement for $1.97 billion in funding for the 5.5-mile extension of the Chicago Transit Authority’s Red Line, the first line of the L system to reach the Far South Side.
The extension is the largest single transit project in CTA history. The grant fulfills a commitment made by the FTA in 2023 [see “Chicago’s Red Line Extension receives $1.9 billion …,” Trains News Wire, Sept. 11, 2023]. Funding comes from the FTA’s Capital investment Grant program and will provide about 34% of the total cost estimated at $5.75 billion.
“The grant we’re announcing today will finally deliver on this long-awaited project and bring a monumental improvement to how passengers travel by transit,” Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said in a press release, “saving some commuters up to 30 minutes in each direction and giving them more time back in their days.” Said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanderpool, “Beyond providing the Far South Side access to new destinations, this expansion will drive significant economic growth and development, creating opportunities as well as fostering a vibrant local economy for Chicagoans well into the future.”
The project will extend the Red Line from its existing terminus at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street and include new stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. Also included is a new yard and maintenance shop near 120th Street.
Interesting how close this route is to existing rail transit lines. North of 130 st, the South Shore already has a double-track electric line, and the IC [Metra Electric] is close to the proposed alignment. From 119 to 130 is all industrial, although there are residences southwest of the proposed terminal at 130.
Chicago still lacks a Crosstown rapid transit line, along a north-south corridor such as Cicero or Western Av.
Truly a monumental waste of money! As someone familiar with the area,there is nothing out there, a few industries, and swamp. Hopefully,the new administration
will repeal this grant.
Isn’t 5.75 billion a lot of money for 5.5 miles of track. I don’t know anything about track this project though. Seems excessive to me.
“this expansion will drive significant economic growth and development,” Also known in some circles as gentrification.
So much complaining. Do any of you ever like ANYTHING?
All most of you do is whine and bitch and piss and moan about how this is bad and that’s bad and this was better in 1950.
It gets REALLY old.
My response? Nothing negative. No bitching or pissing or moaning or complaining from me.
I’m not familiar with the particular Chicago Far South project, but I am familiar with rail transit. I’ve ridden subways or the equivalent in Seattle, SanFran-East Bay, Chicago, Denver, Edmonton, London, Toronto, Montreal, Newark (New Jersey), Boston, New York, Washington, and Cleveland. So, Mike, no negativity from me on rail metro transit. In the cases of Boston and New York, I’ve been a regular rider, the other places only during traveling or vacation.
It’s a New Year. I have celebrated both Latin Christmas and Ukrainian Christmas, all is good. Have a fine day Mike. Mike, I disagree with you most often, but in all sincerity my favorite posters are those who post with regularity. I’d want you to join that club as you have much to say.
When CPKC did the Christmas train, I posted that I liked it.
When NS and CSX gave money to help the victims of the hurricanes, I said I liked it.
When NS stepped up and took a lead role in remediation in East Palestine, I said I liked it.
When the then CEO of NS (Shaw) testified for improved safety management in railroads, I said I liked it.
When UP dropped off the Centennials at Silvis, I said I liked it.
When CPKC announced the opening date for the new bridge at Laredo, I said I liked it.
When the Monticello Rail Museum needed dough to repaint their engine, I said I gave.
Sounds like you are scoring only 1 side of the court.
There is a difference between being negative and providing some background about how things occurred. Don’t confuse style with intent.
This got funded because the then mayor got ticked off that Metra got a ton of dough to build new stations for the southside services. So she bellyached to the Cook County Board chair who told her to go get your own grants.
When all is said and done, there will be a part of Chicago that will be the most served area of the city outside of the loop.
As for it being the largest extension project in CTA history, how does it compare to the O’Hare Extension? That one required a large amount of tunneling.