CTA this year plans to begin construction of an extension of Red Line from 95th to 130th with four new, fully accessible stations; agency will provide residents with construction overview
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today announced that the agency this spring expects to break ground on the long-awaited Red Line Extension Project that will transform public transit on the city’s Far South Side and is expected to launch the largest economic investment to the region in decades.
Promised nearly 60 years ago, the CTA will extend the Red Line from 95th Street Terminal to 130th Street. This includes building four new, accessible Red Line stations that will provide convenient rail service for the first time at 103rd, 111th, Michigan near 116th and 130th Street.
For the many CTA riders in Far South Side communities who commute by bus to transfer to or from Red Line trains at 95th, the benefits of this project include providing a new, more direct connection to the Red Line. This means an easier trip and less time commuting: Once the extension opens, it is expected to provide up to 30 minutes of commute time savings between 130th and the Loop.
Project overview
The RLE project will:
- Build a 5.5-mile extension of the Red Line starting at 95th Street Terminal to the vicinity of 130th Street.
- Include four new accessible stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue (near 116th), and 130th Street, each of which will include bus, bike, pedestrian and parking facilities.
- Build a new rail yard and related rail facilities to improve operational efficiency for the entire Red Line and CTA system.
Community meetings dates and locations
Registration is encouraged. Click here to register. Translation services will be available upon request.
Tuesday, March 10
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Altgeld Gardens CYC Building, 975 E. 132nd St.
Wednesday, March 11
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Another Chance Church, 9550 S. Harvard Ave.
Thursday, March 12
5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Visions Odeum and Events, 11901 S. Loomis St.
Red Line Extension Project Benefits
Project benefits for surrounding communities:
- An award-winning RLE Transit-Supportive Development (TSD) Plan in partnership with Chicago’s Department of Planning and Development (DPD). The Plan is a proactive effort to guide the future development of the long-disinvested communities located near the RLE project area, and it reflects the vision of those who currently reside and conduct business in these communities.
- Estimated construction jobs to be created: 12,512
- Estimated indirect jobs to be created: 59,800
- Estimated 25,000 additional jobs to become available with the new access to transit
- Opportunities for workforce training, apprenticeships and careers with partners Chicago Women in Trades, HIRE 360 and Metropolitan Family Services.
- Small business participation in the project.
- CTA supports DBEs through efforts including the Building Small Business program and partnerships with its construction contractors.
CTA awarded a contract in 2024 to Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners to design and build the RLE project. The new extension and stations are expected to be completed and in service in 2030.
Preliminary project renderings can be found here. For more information about the Red Line Extension Project, visit transitchicago.com/rle.