CHICAGO, IL — The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces two grant awards. Federal Transit Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool inked a Full Funding Grant Agreement with the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to support the Red Line Extension project. FTA is investing $1.97 billion to help extend the Red Line 5.5 miles to connect the city's Far South Side to the L system for the first time. A $149.9 million grant will also go to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) to help fund construction of the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Central Indiana.
The federal support for both projects comes from FTA's Capital Investment Grants program, which helps communities carry out transit projects.
The Red Line Extension project has been in the works for a number of years and is the largest single transit project in CTA history. The project will address inequalities in access and economic investment in predominantly Black and disadvantaged neighborhoods in the city and improve transit connections between destinations such as the Rosalind Medical District, Pullman National Monument, Chicago State University, and the Chicago Housing Authority’s Altgeld Gardens housing development.
"Projects like the Red Line Extension [connect] Far South Side Chicagoans to more areas of the city and to the economic opportunity that comes from more accessible travel," former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said. "The grant ... will finally deliver on this long-awaited project and bring a monumental improvement to how passengers travel by transit, saving some commuters up to 30 minutes in each direction and giving them more time back in their days."
The project is expected to provide a direct connection to jobs, schools, health care, and commerce, while also catalyzing economic development. As part of the RLE's contribution to quality-of-life improvements, the 111th Street station will be an anchor for the Roseland Medical District, a health campus a few blocks away.
CTA estimates the project will generate more than 25,000 jobs in Cook County and bring in $1.7 billion in real estate activity through 2040, along with planned transit-oriented development around the 95th Street Corridor.
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The project will improve transit accessibility by extending the Red Line from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street. The extension will include four new fully accessible stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. The average population density within 0.5 miles of each station is nearly 6,800 people per square mile. Each station will include bus, bike, pedestrian, and park-and-ride facilities connections. The Red Line Extension will also include new traction power substations, with approximately 1,200 parking spaces, a new railyard, and maintenance shop near 120th Street.
The rail line will improve the economic prospects and quality of life in the South Side. Many residents of the Far South Side rely on public transportation because they cannot afford or are unable to drive. Approximately 24 percent of residents in the project corridor live below the poverty level, and 25 percent travel over 60 minutes to their jobs — all exceeding city-wide averages.
The 24-mile BRT line will provide fast and frequent public transportation along one of Marion County, Indiana's main east-west travel corridors. The corridor supports approximately 150,000 jobs.
"With enhanced reliability, greater frequency, and comfort, this expansion guarantees that every resident and visitor has access to vital hubs in Indianapolis, which is particularly gratifying to see in my home state," Buttigieg said. "[This project connects] riders to the airport, students to education, and Indy residents to new opportunities while supporting economic vitality and regional growth."
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The project includes 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in the urban core, helping speed riders on their way. The corridor encompasses some of the region's largest trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, the airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Blue Line will also stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas.
More than 28 million visitors come to the region each year for conventions, meetings, and events at sports venues that are within walking distance of the Blue Line, including Indianapolis Colts football games and Indiana Pacers basketball. Other large attractions near the line include the Convention Center and a soccer stadium that is under construction.
The project includes 60-foot hybrid buses, helping improve air quality. With more than 45,000 people within walking distance of a station in the corridor, service will operate 20 hours per weekday, with frequent service.
The 30 stations will offer a variety of transit choices, including access for pedestrians, cyclists, transfers to and from other routes, and park-and-ride commuters.
