The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has secured nearly $2 billion in federal funding for the long-awaited Red Line extension on the city’s South Side. This significant milestone, announced by Illinois’ congressional delegation, comes as a relief after concerns arose that the funding might be jeopardized following the recent presidential election. The Federal Transit Administration intends to sign an agreement contractually obligating the $1.9 billion in federal grants.
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin lauded the commitment as a “significant milestone,” emphasizing that the funding agreement solidifies the federal government’s support for the project. Initial announcements of the $1.9 billion in federal funding were made in September 2023. However, anxieties emerged after Donald Trump’s presidential victory, given his past criticisms of Chicago and potential political tensions with Mayor Brandon Johnson.
The CTA aims to begin construction on the Red Line extension in late 2024, with completion projected for 2029. The project encompasses new stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street near Eggleston Avenue, Michigan Avenue near 116th Street, and a new terminal at 130th Street near Altgeld Gardens. A contractor was hired in August, and the project’s cost has been updated to $5.75 billion, according to the CTA’s 2025 budget (up from an initial estimate of $3.6 billion). The CTA will cover the remaining costs through state funding, local transit tax increment financing, CTA bonds, and other sources.