FTA commits $1.07B to CTA Red and Purple Modernization Project

CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has received a commitment of approximately $1.07 billion in federal funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to support phase one of its Red and Purple Modernization Project.  

The grant funding will enable the CTA to reconstruct a section of the rail lines on the city’s north side and boost capacity on one of the CTA’S busiest corridors.

“For the past eight years, the Obama Administration has been committed to investing in transportation infrastructure projects that will help more Americans access jobs and new opportunities,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “That’s why we are proud to support the Red and Purple Modernization Project, which will bring better transit service to thousands of Chicagoans who take the train to work, school and other destinations throughout the region.”

The project scope entails track improvements to be made north of the Belmont Station to ease congestion at a connection point for the Red, Purple and Brown lines. The CTA also plans to rebuild and expand four stations to address current and projected demand, in addition to completing upgrades to the power, track and signal systems. The transit authority will also purchase 32 new railcars.

“FTA is awarding highly competitive grant funds for this project because there is a clear need for transit improvements in this busy, crowded corridor,” said FTA Acting Administrator Carolyn Flowers. “When completed, this project will make a big difference for CTA riders with increased service, less crowding aboard trains, and better waiting conditions at larger reconstructed stations.”

Flowers made the announcement to commit the funds during a Jan. 9 ceremony along with Senator Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, CTA representatives and additional local officials.

“This historic funding agreement for the Red and Purple Lines is great news for CTA customers, because we can now move forward with one of the biggest modernization projects in CTA history and follow through with our promise to reduce crowding and increase station accessibility,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “I thank Sen. Durbin and our Congressional leaders, Mayor Emanuel and the City Council, Acting FTA Administrator Carolyn Flowers and the countless others for their vision and support of this project.”

The USDOT is providing approximately $1.07 billion toward the project’s total cost of $2.067 billion. Federal funds being used include a core capacity construction grant agreement for $956.61 million through the FTA’s Capital Investment Grant (CIG) Program, and approximately $116 million through the Department’s Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. The CIG funds will be allocated throughout a period of nine years on an annual payment schedule, which will also be subject to Congressional approval during the yearly appropriations process.