Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Red Line extension

Attendees look over plans for the Red Line extension. Photo: James Porter

South Siders Share Their Thoughts on the Red Line Extension Project

By James Porter | Feb 14, 2018 | 1 Comment

Residents discussed the plan to extend the Red Line to 130th, and weighed in on whether converting the Metra Electric line to rapid transit would be an adequate substitute.

CTA chairman Terry Peterson, Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CTA chief Dorval Carter, and local politicians at this morning's announcement. Photo: CTA

Route Announced for $2.3 Billion Red Line Extension, But How Will We Fund It?

By John Greenfield and Steven Vance | Jan 26, 2018 | 47 Comments

Trump may eliminate federal funding for transit, and a transit TIF wouldn't raise anywhere near enough money for the project.

Rendering of the 103rd Street station for the Red Line extension, if the eastern route is selected. Image: CTA

As CTA Pushes to Pass TIF for RPM, $75M Earmarked for South Red Extension

By John Greenfield | Nov 28, 2016 | No Comments

Yesterday the CTA announced a new $75 million investment towards the $2.3 billion Red Line Extension on the South Side transit.

CTA to Spend Millions on Building Parking Garages for Red Line Extension

By Steven Vance | Nov 2, 2016 | 47 Comments

The Chicago Transit Authority published its Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Red Line extension from 95th St. to 130th St. in the Riverdale community area last month, and it includes a couple of good and bad surprises. An EIS is a study that federal law requires before the United States Department of Transportation fund any highway or […]

Due to Limited Rapid Transit the Far South Side is Dependent on Bus Service

By John Greenfield | Jul 27, 2016 | 3 Comments

[Last fall the Chicago Reader launched a new weekly transportation column written by Streetsblog Chicago editor John Greenfield. This partnership allows Streetsblog to extend the reach of our livable streets advocacy. We syndicate a portion of the column on the day it comes out online; you can read the remainder on the Reader’s website or […]

New Type of TIF District Would Increase Funding for Transit Projects

By Steven Vance | May 11, 2015 | 15 Comments

A new bill that passed the Illinois Senate last week would create a new class of tax increment financing district that could only be created around Chicago transit stations and lines to capture the property value that being near transit generates. Most of the revenue generated by these TIFs would be earmarked to pay for construction […]

Everything You Need To Know About CTA’s Red Line Rebuild

By Steven Vance | Jun 19, 2014 | 10 Comments

The Chicago Transit Authority has begun a series of projects aimed at completely overhauling nearly every part of the Red (and Purple) Line, its longest and busiest rapid transit route. They call these projects “Red Ahead,” and together they should dramatically improve reliability on the line, while also increasing service, adding accessible facilities to stations, […]

CMAP Plan Update Includes Sobering Look at Region’s Funding Shortfall

By Steven Vance | Jun 17, 2014 | 2 Comments

The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s GO TO 2040 regional comprehensive plan has weathered some major ups and downs in its four-year lifespan. CMAP has received several awards for the plan, which required a huge effort on their part to reach out to local residents and overwrite decades of uncoordinated transportation “plans.” Last year, though, the […]

Alderman Beale Opposes Extending Red Line South on Halsted

By John Greenfield | Apr 16, 2014 | 24 Comments

Yesterday’s Sun-Times update on the CTA’s proposed South Red Line extension included some interesting details about the project, as well as a few misguided comments about transit from 9th Ward Alderman Anthony Beale, who is also the chair of City Council’s transportation committee. The CTA is considering two rail routes for the $2 billion, roughly […]

Roseland Resilient in Face of Decades-Delayed Red Line Extension

By Steven Vance | Nov 26, 2013 | 16 Comments

The Chicago Transit Authority has been planning an extension of the Red Line from its current terminus at 95th Street for decades and I joined a tour group at the Congress for New Urbanism’s transportation summit last week to see the proposed station locations. Development Communities Project’s board member Phyllis Palmer led the tour because […]