Funds Secured for Forest Park Branch Track Design Work

Image of Racine Station stairs and elevator tower. The work completed in 2025 was part of the Forest Park Branch Rebuild Phase 1 project.

CTA

CHICAGO - The Chicago Transit Board authorized an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the Illinois Department of Transportation for funding for the future Forest Park Branch track design work.

According to the CTA, the funds will allow it to move forward with redesigning and building more than 13 miles of track and drainage system along the Forest Park Branch. This comes as part of the Forest Park Branch Rebuild Project, a multi-year program that seeks to invest in the reconstruction of the Forest Park Branch of the Blue Line. The Forest Park Branch has received routine maintenance over the years, but the infrastructure is “far beyond its useful life and needs replacement or significant upgrades,” says CTA.

There are 11 rail stations located along the branch, and only five of which are vertically accessible to those with mobility devices. The CTA states it will rebuild seven rail stations to meet modern accessibility guidelines, replace the trackbed, and upgrade the traction power system to support the electrical needs of modern railcars.

With the authorization of the IGA, the CTA will have the funds to advance the $28.2 million design phase of future track work located between Forest Park Station and the Illinois Medical District Station. Crews will remove 13 miles of track and infrastructure to replace it with new materials and a new underlying drainage system, says CTA. The design work is expected to begin later this year. A timeline for construction will follow.

CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said, “Under my leadership, CTA has continued to focus on its commitment to providing a great experience for our riders and I am especially happy for our riders on the West Side. . . This agreement is a testament to what strong partnerships can accomplish. Thanks to IDOT securing federal funding on CTA’s behalf, we can all look forward to this project moving ahead.”

More than 84% of the Forest Park Branch is under a slow zone as a result of consistent flooding in the area. In rebuilding the infrastructure, this work is a “key component” of the Connect 290/Blue Program. This program launched in 2024 and supports the coordinating efforts of the CTA, IDOT, and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP). IDOT applied for federal funding on behalf of the CTA, resulting in a $15.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. As part of the agreement, “eligible design costs incurred by the CTA will be reimbursed by the IDOT.” CTA will cover the remaining design costs balance with state and federal funds.