Federal Transit Deputy Administrator (FTA) Veronica Vanterpool inked a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to support the Red Line Extension project. 

Thanks to the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the FTA is investing $1.97 billion to help extend the Red Line 5.5 miles to connect the city's Far South Side to the L system for the first time.

Chicago’s Red Line Extension

The Red Line Extension project has been in the works for a number of years and is the largest single transit project in CTA history. 

The project will address inequalities in access and economic investment in predominantly Black and disadvantaged neighborhoods in the city and improve transit connections between destinations such as the Rosalind Medical District, Pullman National Monument, Chicago State University, and the Chicago Housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens housing development.

The project is expected to provide a direct connection to jobs, schools, healthcare, and commerce, while also catalyzing economic development. 

As part of the RLE's contribution to quality-of-life improvements, the 111th Street station will be an anchor for the Roseland Medical District, a health campus a few blocks away.

Benefits of the Red Line Extension

CTA estimates the project will generate more than 25,000 jobs in Cook County and bring in $1.7 billion in real estate activity through 2040, along with planned transit-oriented development around the 95th Street Corridor.

"After decades of promises, a profound change for the lives of Chicagoans is finally here," said Deputy Administrator Vanterpool. "Beyond providing the Far South Side access to new destinations, this expansion will drive significant economic growth and development, creating opportunities, as well as fostering a vibrant local economy for Chicagoans well into the future."

The project will improve transit accessibility by extending the Red Line from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street. The extension will include four new fully accessible stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. 

The average population density within one-half mile of each station is nearly 6,800 people per square mile. Each station will include bus, bike, pedestrian, and park-and-ride facilities connections. 

The Red Line Extension will also include new traction power substations, with approximately 1,200 parking spaces, a new railyard, and maintenance shop near 120th Street. 

The rail line will improve the economic prospects and quality of life in the South Side. Many residents of the Far South Side rely on public transportation because they cannot afford or are unable to drive. 

Approximately 24% of residents in the project corridor live below the poverty level, and 25% travel over 60 minutes to their jobs — all exceeding city-wide averages.

The federal support of $1.97 billion (34.3%) for the estimated $5.75 billion project comes from FTA's Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.