CTA Red Line Extension

Alignment

The Red Line Extension (RLE) runs 5.6 miles south from the current southern terminus at 95th Street/Dan Ryan elevated station to a new at-grade terminal at 130th Street, near the Riverdale and Altgeld Gardens neighborhoods. Four new elevated stations are planned at 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street.

The extension would serve communities on Chicago’s Far South Side that currently have no direct rail access to the CTA system. The alignment runs along the Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way for most of its length before transitioning to street-running through the 130th Street area.

Updates

2026-02 — Site preparation and utility relocation underway

The CTA reports that utility relocation along the 103rd–111th Street corridor is approximately 40% complete. Early civil work has begun on the 130th Street terminal site.

2024-10 — Groundbreaking ceremony

Mayor Brandon Johnson joined CTA and federal officials for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future 103rd Street station site. Construction contracts were awarded to a joint venture for the main elevated guideway structure.

2024-05 — Full funding grant agreement executed

The FTA signed the Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the CTA, committing $2.5 billion in federal Capital Investment Grant funds — the largest federal transit grant ever awarded to a Chicago project. This locked in the project schedule and financing plan.

2023-03 — Record of Decision issued

The FTA issued a Record of Decision for the Red Line Extension, completing the federal environmental review process under NEPA and clearing the project to advance into final design and procurement.