advertisement

---

On April 13, Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) received a $432.1 million Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) from the Federal Transit Administration for the $530 million Brown Line capacity expansion project.

The agreement includes $245.5 million in New Starts funding and $177.6 million in Formula funds. The authority received a portion of the funds between fiscal years 2000 and 2004 — the FFGA secures the remaining $344.5 million between now and FY2009.

Chicago’s Regional Transportation Authority, the Illinois Department of Transportation and CTA will fund the remaining $106.8 million.

The authority currently is accepting construction bids for the project, which is expected to begin later this year. Operating between downtown and Chicago’s northwest side, the Brown Line opened for service in 1900. One of CTA’s busiest lines, it serves 66,000 daily passengers and includes 19 stations.

The project includes lengthening platforms to accommodate eight-car trains; upgrading or replacing traction power, and communication and signal equipment; and rebuilding and upgrading stations, including handicapped accessibility improvements.