Chicago Construction News staff writer
Officials gathered in Chicago’s Far South Side this week to break ground on the Chicago Transit Authority’s (CTA) Red Line Extension (RLE), a 5.5-mile expansion hailed as the largest and most transformational capital construction project in the agency’s history.
The project is expected to generate more than 12,500 construction jobs and nearly 59,800 indirect jobs. Planners also estimate that improved transit access could make approximately 25,000 additional jobs reachable within an hour commute.
The design-build contract is being delivered by Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners.
“Thrilled to break ground on the largest and most transformational capital construction project in Chicago Transit Authority history, the Red Line Extension (RLE) Project,” company officials said on social media. “Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners is the design-build contractor responsible for delivering rapid rail transit to the Far South Side of Chicago.”
Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners is composed of Walsh Construction, VINCI Construction, EXP and SYSTRA.
With construction beginning in spring 2026, upcoming work will include:
- Drilling where new elevated track columns will be located
- Pouring concrete to create the new track foundations followed by track columns
- Station construction will begin in 2027
The new extension and stations are expected to be completed and in service in 2030.
Construction will extend the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street, delivering rapid rail service for the first time to several Far South Side neighbourhoods. It includes four new stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan Avenue (near 116th Street), and 130th Street, each designed with multimodal access, including bus, bike, pedestrian, and parking connections.
A new rail yard and supporting facilities near 120th Street will also be constructed to improve operational efficiency across the CTA rail network.
“The Red Line Extension project ensures more reliable, accessible public transit for Chicagoans while bolstering our economy,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said, adding that the Illinois congressional delegation has long pushed for federal support.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson said the project reflects a broader commitment to transit-oriented development.
“Far South Side residents have waited decades for this crucial rail service,” Johnson said, pointing to ongoing investments in housing and neighbourhood revitalization.
The Red Line extension will:
- Extend rapid rail 5.5 miles south from 95th Street to near 130th Street
- Construct four new accessible stations
- Add a new rail yard near 120th Street
- Integrate bus, bike, pedestrian, and parking infrastructure at each station
Stations will include public plazas and commissioned artwork developed with community input.
CTA and its partners have also established workforce programs with organizations including Chicago Women in Trades, HIRE 360, and Metropolitan Family Services to support training and employment pathways for local residents.
The extension is currently scheduled for completion and entry into service in 2030, with major construction ramping up in spring 2026 and station work beginning in 2027.
