CTA announces two options for Red Line extension

CHICAGO (WLS) -- As part of its planning process to extend rail service to 130th Street on the far South Side, the CTA announced Sunday that it has narrowed down to two preliminary options for the proposed Red Line Extension Project.

Based on feedback from the public collected over the spring and summer, the CTA is now focusing on what they call one "preferred alternative" that contains two possible variations, chosen from five proposals that have been under consideration, which they believe best serves the communities and residents on the Far South Side.

The first option is called the Union Pacific Railroad Rail (UPRR) Alternative, East Option, in which CTA tracks would be placed immediately east of the UPRR right-of-way from 99th Street to 118th Street. The second option is called the UPRR Alternative, West Option, in which CTA tracks would be placed immediately west of UPRR's right-of-way from 99th Street to north of 118th Street.

The proposed alignment of the rapid transit line would be the same for both East and West options north of 99th Street and south of 118th Street.

The RLE project plans to extend the Red Line form the existing 95th Street end-point to the vicinity of 130th street, a 5.3 mile extension. It would include four new stations near 103rd Street, 111th Street, Michigan Avenue and 130th Street, all of which would include bus and parking facilities. The estimated cost of the project is $2.3 billion.

For more information on the Red Line Extension Project, visit www.transitchicago.com/redeis/.