The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) broke ground on the Red Line extension project on the far South Side Friday.
The long-awaited development will bring four new CTA stations south of the current terminus at 95th street, according to a release.
Additionally, the project is projected to create more than 12,000 construction jobs and increase access to employment opportunities for thousands of local residents.
The extension has been in the works for decades and encountered numerous funding roadblocks along the way.
In 2025, federal funding for the project was stalled before being reallocated in March after a court order.
Once the new stations are completed, they will service an estimated 40,000 riders per day.
Mayor Brandon Johnson celebrated the occasion in a statement, saying “Today’s groundbreaking demonstrates our shared commitment to transit equity and opportunity for every Chicagoan. Far South Side residents have waited decades for this crucial rail service to come to life. ”
” My administration never wavered in our determination to finally secure this project and will continue to direct investments in housing and neighborhood development to support transit-oriented revitalization of the surrounding communities.”
Early work on the project has already begun, with the core construction set to start in 2027. The city estimates the project will fully wrap by 2030.
Learn more about the project here.