The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) continues to advance the Red Line Extension (RLE) project with the announcement that it has selected three prequalified teams to submit proposals on the project to extend rail service to Chicago’s Far South Side, according to the agency's news release.

The $3.6B RLE project will extend the Red Line from the existing southern terminal at 95th Street to 130th Street.

Adding New Rail Stations

As part of this project, four new, fully-accessible rail stations will be added, plus a new railcar storage yard and maintenance facility that will benefit users of the entire Red Line.

The 5.6-mile heavy rail line extension will provide a connection to jobs, education, commerce, and opportunity.

“Today we move closer to providing Chicago residents with an extended and improved commute on the Red Line, our busiest line, by selecting the best and most qualified firms to ultimately build this dream and make it a reality,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “This historic project represents equity for the underserved South Side community by finally giving them a rail line that extends to the city limits.”

History of CTA's Project

In October of last year, CTA issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) asking firms to submit their qualifications. After considering a pool of potential candidates, CTA selected the most qualified teams that demonstrated the ability to design and build the rail extension.

The three entities selected are: FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, Milhouse, and BOWA Joint Venture; Kiewit Infrastructure; and Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners.

This selected pool of candidates will move into the next phase of the competitive procurement process and CTA will decide which contracting team will ultimately be chosen to design and build the RLE project based on their submitted proposals. Project proposals will be due early 2024 with an expected execution by the end of 2024.

Contracting Teams’ Proposals

The contracting teams’ proposals will be considered on a variety of criteria, including experience, price, diversity outreach plans, and other factors. CTA expects major construction of this project to begin in late 2025 and is dependent on securing full project funding.

The RLE project is expected to create 2,500 direct and indirect construction jobs annually.

The Final RFP will include workforce goals and will require significant participation by Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)-certified firms and career-seekers from underrepresented communities and economically disadvantaged areas.

In alignment with CTA’s goals, the RLE project will help strengthen economic prospects for members of the surrounding communities.