Reconstruction project is among more than $1 billion in investment Mayor Emanuel has directed to improving the Red Line, the backbone of the CTA rail system, providing more than one-third of rail ridership.
The Red Line South reconstruction project is among more than $1 billion in investment Mayor Emanuel has directed to improving the backbone of the CTA rail system. Photo by Daniel Schwen
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The Red Line South reconstruction project is among more than $1 billion in investment Mayor Emanuel has directed to improving the backbone of the CTA rail system. Photo by Daniel Schwen
Six weeks into the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line reconstruction project, nearly all of the tracks, ties, third rail and ballast have been removed from the 10 miles of railroad between Cermak-Chinatown and 95th Street, according to officials.
Crews have also begun the rehabilitation of eight of the nine stations that are part of the project, with work including lighting replacement or refurbishment; floor reglazing/repair; painting; cleaning; and new elevators at the Garfield, 63rd and 87th stations. The ninth station, 95th Street Terminal, will be reconstructed in a separate, $240 million project next year.
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The Red Line South reconstruction is one of the city’s largest current infrastructure projects and one of the largest transit-related projects in the country. The reconstruction will generate around 1,500 jobs, including 1,000 construction jobs and more than 400 part-time, permanent bus operators. Many of those jobs are being filled by Chicagoans.
Additionally, both of the project’s prime contractors — Kiewit Construction (track work) and F.H. Paschen, S.N.Nielsen (station work) — have either met or exceeded the CTA’s goal for Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation, by hiring a total of 39 DBE subcontractors for a total of $82.5 million. Approximately $54 million of that will go to African-American owned firms.
The Red Line South reconstruction project is among more than $1 billion in investment Mayor Emanuel has directed to improving the Red Line, the backbone of the CTA rail system, providing more than one-third of rail ridership.
Upcoming Red Line projects include the complete reconstruction of the Wilson station ($203M), complete reconstruction of the 95th Street terminal ($240M), and an overhaul of the Clark/Division subway station ($41M).
Operation Lifesaver awarded $220,200 in grants to 12 states to support rail safety campaigns focused on grade crossing awareness and trespass prevention.
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The Red Line Extension Project will provide the Far South Side of Chicago with rapid rail transit for the first time by extending the Red Line by 5.5 miles from 95th Street to 130th Street, including the construction of four new Red Line stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan, and 130th streets.
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While recognizing regional economic constraints and continuing to improve service, the budget increases the jurisdictional subsidy to less than 1.8%, significantly below the inflation rate and the 3% regional target, said agency officials.
With more than 59,400,000 boardings since the service’s debut, the A Line’s utilization surpassed that of all other RTD rail services in 2025, the agency reported.
The plan outlines funding for transit operations, capital projects, and freight and passenger rail initiatives, as state officials seek public input on priorities shaping mobility and infrastructure across the Commonwealth.
