FTA awards $56.9 million to Chicago for transit

The Federal Transit Administration awarded $56.9 million in funding to Metra Commuter Rail (Chicago) and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). CTA will receive $2.5 million to purchase up to five articulated buses to be used throughout the transit authority's service sytem and Metra will use $54.4 million to fund improvements to its Union Pacific West, South West Corridor and North Central lines. Metra's grant is part of a Full Funding Grant Agreement signed in November 2001, which, over a period of several years, will provide $319.1 million for the three extensions.