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).
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
In this edition, we cover recent appointments and announcements at HDR, MCTS, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.
This final component of the 2 Line will cross Lake Washington and connect with the 1 Line at International District/Chinatown Station, creating a fully integrated regional light rail system.
Expected to enter service in 2029, these locomotives support the agency’s commitment to offer reliable and efficient rail transportation across South Florida.
