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CHICAGO — On Friday, Chicago and Illinois officials celebrated the groundbreaking of the ambitious CTA Red Line Extension Project, a multi-billion-dollar undertaking set to transform transit for the city’s Far South Side.
This significant development promises to deliver faster commutes and boost investment in the area, according to city leaders.
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The extension of the CTA Red Line is anticipated to greatly enhance access to employment opportunities, educational institutions, and foster economic growth on Chicago’s South Side.
With an investment of $5.7 billion, this project marks a substantial commitment to the region and has been in the planning stages for several years.
The extension will stretch the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street and will include the construction of four new accessible stations. As the CTA’s busiest rail line, this expansion is expected to significantly impact public transportation in the city.
There was a recent legal challenge over federal funding, but a judge ordered payments for the project to continue.
Once completed, the 5.5-mile project is estimated to save those who would commute from 130th Street up to 30 minutes in their travel
The project is expected to create more than 75,000 jobs.
A number of politicians attended the groundbreaking near 115th Street and Michigan Avenue.
“Sixty years in the making we made good on a promise that we’re going to invest in our people,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said. “We can’t predict the madness coming from the White House; what we can predict is our ability to fight back and win.”
Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen was even in attendance. He’s an investor in one of the companies involved in the project.
“Scottie, you made history for Chicago, and we’re making history today. I’m glad you’re here,” Sen. Dick Durbin said.
Acting CTA President Nora Leerhsen says it will change opportunities for people living on the South Side, extending their mobility across Chicago.
“It’s amazing; I have a business on 106th and Western. And just the beauty of having a station on 103rd is going to give so much access to customers,” South Side resident Adenike said.
Site preparation work is already underway at some of the new locations, and the hope is for the entire project to be done by 2030.
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