Forest Park Branch design funding advances planning

Planning for the Forest Park Branch rebuild is set to advance after the Chicago Transit Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation. The agreement transfers funding for design work covering a substantial section of the Chicago Transit Authority line.

Federal grant supports Blue Line trackwork design

IDOT applied for federal funding on CTA’s behalf and secured a $15.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Under the agreement, CTA will receive the funding needed to advance the $28.2 million design phase for future Blue Line trackwork between the Illinois Medical District and Forest Park stations.

CTA plans to reconstruct the entire Forest Park Branch in several phases over multiple years. The project also includes accessibility improvements for passengers who use mobility devices.

Don’t miss…Battery Batch Withdrawal Follows Sydney Light Rail Incidents

CTA officials outlined the proposed track replacement in a press release:

“As part of this future project work, which has not yet been funded, crews would completely remove more than 13 miles of existing track and underlying infrastructure and replace it with new materials and a new underlying drainage system,”

Forest Park Branch rebuild scope and schedule

Design work is expected to begin in late 2026. CTA said the construction schedule will be determined after the design phase is completed, while the authority continues seeking the funding needed for the project.

Parts of the Blue Line corridor have experienced flooding for decades, causing recurring slow zones along the Forest Park Branch, according to CTA officials. The rebuild also includes revamping seven stations, replacing the entire trackbed and drainage system, and upgrading the traction power system.