The Red Line Extension Project (RLE) has advanced into the next phase of the federal “New Starts” program, making it eligible for a $1.973 billion grant from the Federal Transportation Administration. This would be the largest transit infrastructure grant awarded to Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) in its history and will help extend CTA’s Red Line 5.6 miles to Chicago’s Far South Side from 95th Street to 130th Street.
Mayor Brandon Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for this project saying, “Reversing decades of disinvestment starts with providing accessible transportation for all residents of this city…We will continue to work with stakeholders, state and federal government alike in order ensure that this project is moving full steam ahead.” The estimated cost of RLE is $3.6 billion which includes an engineering phase necessary before receiving any funds from FTA grants .
