CTA’s Redline South Reopens

Deborah Bayliss | As of Wednesday, October 23, 2013

The Red Line project, according to CTA officials, created more than 1,500 jobs including approximately 1,000 construction-related jobs, more than 400-plus bus operators and 100 Traffic Control Aides.
The Red Line project, according to CTA officials, created more than 1,500 jobs including approximately 1,000 construction-related jobs, more than 400-plus bus operators and 100 Traffic Control Aides. Photo CTA

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Photo by: Photo CTA

CTA was the first U.S. transit agency to entirely remove and replace stretch of railroad as large as the portion between Cermack Rd. and 95th St. in a tight timeframe according to CTA officials.

Chicago Transit Authority Red Line South Trains are rolling again following a five-month, $425 million upgrade to tracks and eight stations from Cermak Rd. (22nd St.) to 95th Street.

"The reconstruction of the Red Line South is an historic investment in both the Red Line — the backbone of the CTA rail system — as well as the many communities it serves on Chicago's South Side," said Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. "This brand new railroad will provide faster and more comfortable commutes, and is an important step toward creating a 21st century transit experience for commuters."

The 10.2-mile stretch reopened Sunday on schedule after being closed for five months during the rebuilding along the line between the Cermak-Chinatown and 95th Street stations, which serves Chicago's South Side.

“The Red Line South reconstruction was among the largest and most important investments in my Illinois Jobs Now! Capital Construction program,” Gov. Pat Quinn said about the upgrades. “This historic project created more than 1,500 jobs and built a new Red Line that is faster, more efficient and easier to use for tens of thousands of people who will ride on it every day.”

CTA was the first U.S. transit agency to entirely remove and replace such a large stretch of railroad in a tight timeframe and with an extensive alternative service plan according to CTA officials.

Originally opened in 1969, the Red Line South was reconstructed from the ground up, including all rails, ties, ballast, drainage systems and signaling equipment.

Improvements are expected to trim up to 20 minutes off the round-trip commute between 95th Street and downtown Chicago, CTA officials said.

A snag in the reopening plans occurred however, less than 24 hours after re-opening with workers having to perform emergency repairs on a section of the new red line tracks after a truck cab crashed into a barrier on the Dan Ryan Expressway near 68th Street, and landed on the tracks Sunday night.

The driver was not hurt and maintenance workers were able to repair the third rail of the tracks to reopen and resume service on the southbound portion of the tracks.

The 95th Street station is expected to receive additional renovations next spring.

The Red Line project, according to CTA officials, created more than 1,500 jobs including approximately 1,000 construction-related jobs, more than 400-plus bus operators and 100 Traffic Control Aides.

“Too often—and for far too long—significant participation in public or private capital construction projects has eluded South Side businesses and workers,” said CTA Board Chairman Terry Peterson. “But that changed under Red Line South—and has become the new norm for the CTA,” Peterson added, referring to a project labor agreement (PLA) with building trades unions the CTA signed in September.

The PLA requires contractors working on most CTA construction projects to provide employment opportunities to disadvantaged workers as established by the Workforce Investment Act.

Following months of outreach to the South Side business community, DBEs (disadvantaged business enterprises) were heavily involved in the project, with contracts totaling $82.5 million. Of that amount, approximately $56.4 million went to African-American firms, according to CTA.

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