The Chicago Transit Authority has begun construction on the Red Line Extension project, a major rail expansion that will extend service to the Far South Side of Chicago. The project will expand the existing Red Line by 5.5 miles from the 95th Street Terminal to 130th Street.
The project scope includes construction of four new accessible stations at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. Crews will also build a new rail yard and supporting rail infrastructure near 120th Street to improve system operations. Each station will include bus, pedestrian, bike, and parking facilities.
The total project cost is $5.7 billion. Funding includes federal, state, and local sources, supported through major transit infrastructure programs. The Chicago Transit Authority is overseeing the project, while Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners is serving as the design-build contractor.
Construction is underway following the groundbreaking in April 2026. Crews have completed early-stage work, including demolition and utility relocation. Major construction activities will continue through 2026, with station construction scheduled to begin in 2027. Officials expect the extension to be completed and operational in 2030.
The project will create more than 12,500 construction jobs and support approximately 59,800 indirect jobs. It will also improve transit access for hundreds of thousands of residents and reduce commute times by up to one hour for some riders. The extension will expand access to employment opportunities, with an estimated 25,000 additional jobs becoming reachable within a one-hour commute.