CTA holds meeting on Red Line Extension Project, with focus on future contracted work

CTA hosts meeting focused on future contracted work.

CTA

As part of its commitment to extend contracting opportunities to the communities it serves, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) hosted a virtual meeting for local small businesses and disadvantaged business enterprises (DBEs).

The meeting focused on learning more about upcoming contracting opportunities as part of the proposed Red Line Extension (RLE) project.

“The Red Line Extension is a critical project for mobility and growth in Chicago,” said CTA President Dorval R. Carter, Jr. “For those minority- or women-owned businesses interested in working on the project, this is your opportunity to learn more about this major public works effort and what is required to get involved.”

As part of this initial meeting, “Route to Procurement”, interested vendors were provided an update on the overall RLE project, benefits for small business participation in future contracting opportunities, as well as steps on how to become certified to do business with the CTA. Although the proposed RLE project is still in development, there are plenty of prospects for robust DBE participation in the next steps of the project.

More than 300 businesses owners registered for today’s virtual event. Owners of minority- and women-owned businesses who were unable to attend today’s meeting, but are still interested in becoming vendors and suppliers, are strongly encouraged to view the webinar, which is posted on the RLE project website at transitchicago.com/RLE.

In the coming weeks and through the remainder of the year, CTA will be hosting several pre-bid meetings regarding future contracting opportunities for the RLE project. Dates and additional details of these meetings will be announced later.

The proposed extension of the Red Line is the most transformational project in CTA history. As part of this project, the Red Line would be extended from the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan to 130th Street, subject to the availability of funding. This 5.6-mile extension would include four new, fully accessible rail stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street. Each new station would include multimodal connections including bus, bike, pedestrian, and park & ride facilities. More than just transit, this project is intended to bring equity, access, and economic opportunity to the Far South Side of Chicago by connecting people to direct and sustainable rail transit.