The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has selected the three teams selected to submit proposals for the Red Line extension project –Â Walsh VINCI Transit Community Partners, Kiewit Infrastructure and Joint venture between BOWA, FH Paschen, Ragnar Benson, and Milhouse.
Teams must submit proposals in early 2024, and the winning team will have approximately a year to complete the majority of the design work. If funding falls into place, major construction is projected to begin in late 2025, with an anticipated completion date in 2029.
Work will include:
- 5.6 Mile rail extension
- Four new stations
- Elevated tracks from 95th Street to 119th Street, ground level tracks from 119th Street to 130th Street
- Multimodal connections at each station to include bus, bike, pedestrian, and park and ride facilities
- Train storage yard & shop facility at 120th Street
The project, originally proposed in the 1950s, received approval for initial funding late last year.
After conducting preliminary studies and plans in collaboration with the CTA and Muller2 Architects, a Request For Qualifications (RFQ) was issued in October 2022.
Proposals from the three teams must outline workforce goals and actively involve firms that fall under the Department of Transportation’s Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
To help fund the estimated $3.6 billion project, the Chicago city council approved a new transit Tax Increment Financing (TIF) district in 2022.
Also, a proposal has been submitted requesting $350 million in federal government funding.
