CTA Red Line Extension in Line For $1.973 Billion in Federal Funding | Chicago Defender

Federal Transit Administration Announces Advancement of Red Line Extension Project

Caption: Red Line Extension 103rd Street Station East View (Rendering Courtesy of the Chicago Transit Authority).

The Red Line Extension (RLE) project on the Far South Side of Chicago has reached a significant milestone in its application for project funding. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has announced that the project is in line to receive $1.973 billion in grant funding, making it the largest transit infrastructure grant in the history of the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals

The Red Line Extension project aligns with several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

1. Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
2. Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
3. Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

“Reversing decades of disinvestment starts with providing accessible transportation for all residents of this city,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Today’s announcement serves as an important milestone for this project as we move to enhance capillary connections to create a more connected and accessible Chicago. We will continue to work with stakeholders, the state, and federal government to ensure this project is moving full steam ahead.”

The FTA has notified CTA that the $3.6 billion RLE Project has advanced into the next phase of the federal “New Starts” program. This milestone brings the project closer to groundbreaking. The Engineering phase of the project, which includes further design and engineering, will now begin. Once this phase is completed and approved by the FTA, CTA will receive the federal grant dollars allocated for the project.

“Today is a great day for the South Side of Chicago,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “The Far South Side has been promised for 50 years that the Red Line would be extended to the city’s southern border, and today we can say that promise is significantly closer to being met. This project brings a wealth of job and training opportunities, and it enhances the quality of life for residents who will be able to access jobs and education more easily than ever before.”

The Engineering phase of the project is expected to continue into 2024, with a funding award anticipated by the end of that year. The remaining project funding will come from a $950 million Transit TIF approved by the Chicago City Council and other sources.

“Public transit plays a vital role in the lives of millions of Chicagoans. For many, it is the best and only option to get to work, go to school, and visit family,” said Congressman Mike Quigley. “As lead Democrat on the Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee, I’m proud to have helped bring these federal dollars back home to support the Red Line Extension project. This project is a major step in building a more equitable transit system for our city, ensuring the benefits of public transit can be utilized by communities that have historically lacked access. I look forward to continuing to work with FTA, CTA, and the Illinois congressional delegation to move this project forward.”

“Improving our infrastructure means better connecting Chicagoans to jobs, education, commerce, and opportunity. The Red Line Extension project will be transformative for South Side communities—providing an economic boost for a long-neglected area of the City and surrounding suburbs, producing an estimated 25,000 jobs in the coming years, while generating nearly $2 billion in pay to workers on the project, and more than $5 billion in total business output,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “I will continue to work alongside Senator Duckworth and state leaders to secure the resources needed to keep the Red Line Extension project on track.”

“No matter their zip code, Chicagoans deserve easier access to public transit to get to school, get to work and to more easily move throughout the city,” Senator Tammy Duckworth said. “The long-awaited extension of the Red Line to 130th Street will provide much-needed transit access for thousands of South Side residents, provide a vital economic boost to surrounding neighborhoods and create good-paying jobs. I’ll keep working to help ensure this project gets the support it needs from the federal level, and we do all that we can to help improve transit development and access for all Chicagoans.”

“Today I celebrate with the Chicago Transit Authority and the rest of Chicago on the advancement of the Red Line Extension to 130th Street,” said Rep. Danny K. Davis. (IL-07) “This Extension will greatly improve transit access and boost economic development on the South Side, making life easier for Chicagoans. I am proud to work with my colleagues in Congress to support this project that will serve approximately 100,000 people and generate billions of dollars in pay for workers and business productivity.”

“Expanding transit access to the South Side of Chicago is essential to making Chicagoland the best place to live, work, and raise a family,” said Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). “For communities that too often feel forgotten, this extension demonstrates that our leaders will not allow my district to be left behind. This extension will accelerate economic growth, create jobs, and strengthen our neighborhoods. I look forward to continuing to work closely with my colleagues in Congress

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure
   • Indicator: Investment in infrastructure development

   The article discusses the Red Line Extension (RLE) project, which aims to extend the Red Line on the Far South Side of Chicago. This project involves building a 5.6-mile extension of the Red Line, including four new accessible stations and a new rail yard. It addresses the goal of developing infrastructure and improving transportation access for residents.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.2: Provide access to safe, affordable, accessible, and sustainable transport systems
   • Indicator: Accessibility of public transit

   The Red Line Extension Project aims to provide a new, more direct connection to the Red Line, making commuting easier and reducing travel time for residents. This aligns with the target of providing accessible and sustainable transport systems in urban areas.

3. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

   • Target 8.5: Achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all
   • Indicator: Job creation and workforce training opportunities

   The Red Line Extension Project is expected to bring more than 25,000 jobs to Cook County in the future. It also includes opportunities for workforce training and participation by small Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)-certified small businesses. This contributes to the target of achieving full and productive employment and decent work for all.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table

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Source: chicagodefender.com

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