CTA breaks ground on “signature” transit hub

CTA

The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground on its new 95th Street Terminal, one of the largest station projects in CTA history. The $240-million reconstruction project will replace the current facility, built in 1969, creating a "signature" transit hub that will serve CTA's busiest rail line.

The 95th/Dan Ryan station is a critical piece of the CTA’s Red Line. It connects Far South Side communities, to job centers throughout the region and serves as a transit gateway for the South Side and suburbs.

“Just one year after we rebuilt the entire Red Line south, we are continuing to upgrade transit for residents and neighborhoods on the South Side,” said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “From new technology to new terminals, we are building the 21st century transit system to serve every neighborhood in our 21st century city.”

The station has seen a number of changes and improvements since it opened, including the addition of an elevator and other accessibility improvements, but nothing at the scale of what this project will do.

The new station design features contemporary architecture including glass and steel canopies and light-filled, glass-enclosed structures with expanded space and more shelter for customers. The station will have buildings both north and south of 95th Street, connected by an enclosed walkway over 95th Street, increasing safety for the thousands of adults and children who move through the station each day and will include nearly three times the amount of retail concession space as the current station.

Construction is expected to continue into 2017 and the station will remain open throughout the project.

Funding is provided through a variety of federal, state and local sources, including a Federal Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant, Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) loan, Federal Bus Livability grant, Federal Formula funds, state of Illinois Jobs Now funds and CTA bonds.