Red Line extension

There were two pieces of good news from the transit agency yesterday and today.

CTA service reliability issues and likely funding for the long-awaited Red Line Extension were major topics of discussion at the latest CTA board meeting.

And fortunately, despite what the news release stated, the RLE is still predicted to cut the commute time from 130th to the Loop by 30 minutes.

On Thursday, disadvantaged business enterprises attended a meeting hosted by the Chicago Transit Authority to learn more about the Red Line Extension and the subcontracting opportunities available. The event took place at the CTA’s West Loop headquarters.

Monday I wrote about the Chicago Transportation Authority hosting a meeting tomorrow morning to introduce disadvantaged business enterprises and small businesses to the three CTA-identified bidders for the Far South Side's Red Line Extension Project as potential subcontractors. After I asked a colleague to review the article before publication, he had some interesting questions.

Prospects are looking very good for the proposed $3.6 CTA Red Line Extension proposal on Chicago's Far South Side. Last December the Chicago City Council approved the controversial transit tax-increment financing district for the project, which is projected to raise $959 million for the extension. In March, President Joe Biden’s fiscal year 2024 discretionary funding budget earmarked another $350 million for the project.

Yesterday the administration began to make good on its promise to help fund the RLE including a request for $350 million in Biden’s fiscal year 2024 discretionary funding request.

The CTA describes the document as "a proactive effort to create a guide for future development in communities located near the RLE project area and within the Far South Side of Chicago."

While the CTA declined our request to interview CTA president Dorval Carter, spokespersons did respond to a few questions about recent developments.