US: FTA Grants Nearly $2 Billion for Chicago Red Line Extension
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a 1.97 billion USD grant to fund the extension of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line.
The Biden-Harris Administration has announced a 1.97 billion USD grant to fund the extension of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red Line.
This project is set to transform transit access on the city’s Far South Side, representing the largest single transit project in CTA history.
The funding, delivered through the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Capital Investment Grants (CIG) programme, will extend the Red Line by 5.5 miles, from 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street.
The extension includes four new fully accessible stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. These stations will feature connections for buses, bicycles, pedestrians, and park-and-ride facilities.
The project also includes traction power substations, a new railyard, and a maintenance shop near 120th Street.
“The Biden-Harris Administration is removing barriers to transit through projects like the Red Line Extension—connecting Far South Side Chicagoans to more areas of the city and to the economic opportunity that comes from more accessible travel.
“The grant we’re announcing today will finally deliver on this long-awaited project and bring a monumental improvement to how passengers travel by transit, saving some commuters up to 30 minutes in each direction and giving them more time back in their days.”
The Red Line Extension (RLE) will provide vital transit access to predominantly Black and economically disadvantaged neighbourhoods, connecting residents to jobs, schools, healthcare, and other essential services. The project aims to address longstanding inequalities in transit access while improving connectivity to destinations such as the Roseland Medical District, Pullman National Monument, and Chicago State University.
The initiative is expected to significantly reduce travel times, with some commuters saving up to 30 minutes per journey.
Approximately 25% of residents in the project area live below the poverty line, and 25% face commutes exceeding one hour—figures above the city-wide average. Improved transit services will help address these challenges while reducing reliance on cars for those unable to drive or afford private transportation.
The CTA estimates that the RLE will generate over 25,000 jobs in Cook County and attract 1.7 billion USD in real estate activity by 2040. Planned transit-oriented developments around the 95th Street Corridor are also expected to boost economic growth.
“After decades of promises, a profound change for the lives of Chicagoans is finally here. 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 1.97 billion USD federal contribution represents 34.3% of the 5.75 billion USD total project cost. The funding is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader investments in public transit under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which aims to support transformational projects nationwide.
