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A Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) train navigates the City of Chicago, Illinois, US. (Image: Adobe Stock)

In total, the federal government has pledged approximately $2 billion to the programme, with remaining financing coming from local and state sources, including the rail operator the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA).

Considered the largest transit project ever for CTA, its one of the highest equity investments in Chicago’s history.

Redefine Southside Partners Joint Venture (RSP) – comprised of Patrick Engineering (US-based subsidiary of Italian RIPA Consulting), advisory firm WSP USA (US-based subsidiary of Canadian WSP Global) and Chicago-based Infrastructure Engineering – was selected as the project’s construction management contractor.

The plan includes construction of a 5.6 mile (9km) extension of the existing Red Line rail service on Chicago’s South Side. The build will add four new accessible stations with bus, bike, pedestrian and parking facilities. The programme will also construct a new rail yard and accompanying facilities, which would service the entire CTA system.

“The RLE, once complete, will provide a new, more direct connection to downtown via the Red Line,” said CTA. “Once the extension opens, it is expected to provide up to 30 minutes in time savings to riders travelling to downtown from the future 130th Street station.”

With funding pledged, an on-time construction start in 2025 seems likely. The extension project is expected to last until 2029.