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10/18/2022
The Chicago Transit Authority's board last week approved two new measures to advance the Red Line Extension project.
The measures authorize CTA to begin acquiring land needed for the extension, CTA officials said in a press release. The project is one of the most critical investments in the agency’s history and will be transformative for the city’s far south side communities, they added.
The $3.6 billion Red Line Extension project will add 5.6 miles from the existing terminal at 95th Street to 130th Street. Construction crews will build four rail stations and a Red Line rail-car storage yard and maintenance facility.
CTA has previously identified 216 properties, of which 103 are privately owned, for the extension. Of those privately owned properties, 64 are occupied as commercial or residential. The project will minimize the amount of private property needed for construction, which could begin as early as 2025, CTA officials said.
As part of the acquisition process, CTA's board also approved an agreement with Cook County Land Bank Authority, under which CTA will pay the authority up to $3.83 million for acquisition, holding and maintaining of 55 vacant properties until CTA is ready to take ownership.
Meanwhile, CTA yesterday announced the launch of a new monthly scorecard program that will help it track progress the agency is making on initiatives introduced as part of its "Meeting the Moment: Transforming CTA’s Post-Pandemic Future" action plan unveiled in August.