CTA Red Line Extension Program Management – Cook County, Illinois

The CTA Red Line Extension is a transformative 5.6-mile project expending the existing terminal at 95th/Dan Ryan south to 130th Street. This major transit investment will include four new fully accessible stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue, and 130th Street, each offering multimodal connections including bus, bike, pedestrian, and park & ride facilities. A new large-scale CTA Yard and Shop maintenance facility just north of 130th Street will support operations for the expanded line.

DB Sterlin is part of the multi-disciplined PEC team providing program management support throughout the design review process. Our responsibilities include reviewing 30%, 60%, 90%, and final design documents to confirm that project goals are being met, designs are technically sound, and all deliverables comply with FTA and CTA standards. The team ensures that the design components are constructible, that schedules and budgets are maintained, and that project documentation meets professional standards.

Oversight and Coordination
DB Sterlin provides concept civil design oversight, review of Yard and Shop plans and specifications, and construction feasibility assessment. Our team participates in project team coordination, assists with permitting requirements, and reviews project schedules to ensure alignment with overall program goals. These efforts ensure that all aspects of the Red Line Extension are delivered efficiently, safely, and in accordance with both regulatory and engineering standards.

Advancing Transit Access and Economic Opportunity
The Red Line Extension will significantly reduce travel times, offering up to 30-minute time savings for riders traveling from the future 130th Street station to downtown Chicago. By connecting residents of the Far South Side to multiple CTA rail lines, bus routes, and employment centers, the project improves access to jobs, education, and essential services.

In addition to enhancing mobility, the project is a major economic driver. The CTA estimates that the Red Line Extension will generate more than 25,000 jobs across Cook County and catalyze approximately $1.7 billion in real estate investment within the project footprint. This investment represents one of the largest infrastructure projects on the Far South Side in decades and reinforces CTA’s commitment to expanding reliable, modern rapid transit in underserved communities.