Chicago Launches Historic Red Line Extension: Four New Stations and Rail Yard Confirmed

The Red Line extension has entered construction. Chicago Transit Authority executives, state and local officials and other dignitaries marked the start at a groundbreaking ceremony last week. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

According to CTA officials, the extension will give residents on Chicago’s far south side access to rapid transit rail service for the first time. The authority plans to extend the Red Line 5.5 miles, from 95th Street to 130th Street. In addition, the project includes four new accessible stations, a new rail yard and related rail facilities intended to support more efficient operations across the full line.

CTA Red Line extension scope

The extension is expected to open in 2030. Once it is in service, roundtrip riders traveling between the future 130th Street Station and the downtown Loop could save up to one hour.

“This historic project finally delivers on the transit promises made to the residents … decades ago,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “It will provide tremendous opportunity and access to employment and education for hundreds of thousands of residents.”

Construction work and next steps

Advance construction work has already been taking place to prepare the project for construction. That work has included demolition of necessary acquired properties and relocation of utility poles and other equipment from areas where new track will be built.

Upcoming construction activities include drilling for columns that will support the new elevated track. Crews also will pour concrete for the new track foundations. Work on the stations is scheduled to begin in 2027.

As Railway Supply previously reported, Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners is serving as the project’s design-build contractor.

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