CTA breaks ground on $240 million Red Line terminal reconstruction project

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel joined Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) officials yesterday to mark the start of a $240 million project designed to reconstruct the Red Line's 95th Street Terminal — one of the largest station projects in the agency's history.

CTA plans to replace the current station, built in 1969, to create a signature transit hub that will serve the agency's busiest rail line, city officials said in a press release issued by Emanuel's office.

"Just one year after we rebuilt the entire Red Line south, we are continuing to upgrade transit for residents and neighborhoods on the South Side," said Emanuel.

The 95th Street station features a train terminal and an integrated bus terminal, and serves about 20,000 passengers on an average weekday. The station handles 24-hour Red Line service and more than 1,000 CTA and Pace bus trips on a typical weekday.

The new station's design features contemporary architecture, glass and steel canopies and light-filled, glass-enclosed structures with expanded space and more shelter for riders. The station will sport buildings both north and south of 95th Street, connected by an enclosed walkway over 95th Street. It also will include nearly three times the amount of retail concession space as the current station.

Project funding will be covered by federal, state and local sources. Construction is expected to continue into 2017, and the station will remain open throughout the project.