CTA sues DOT, FTA over Red Line Extension, Red & Purple Modernization funding

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The CTA filed a lawsuit Friday against the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Transit Administration, seeking the restoration of funding obligated to the CTA for the Red Line Extension and Red & Purple Modernization projects.

The FTA previously committed to providing funds for RPM and RLE, including nearly $2 billion in federal grant funding for RLE, a news release from the CTA Friday said.

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In October 2025, the federal government paused all funding for both RLE and RPM, the CTA said.

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"We are fully committed to the success of these projects, and we will take every step necessary to ensure that they move forward," CTA acting President Nora Leerhsen said in a statement. "The Red Line Extension is an historic investment into the Far South Side of Chicago that will transform public transit and create new economic opportunity for the communities it will serve. Additionally, our work on the Red and Purple Modernization Project, which is ongoing, has resulted in four new, fully accessible and modern stations. These are both meaningful, impactful projects and we are working closely with community leaders, elected officials and other stakeholders to ensure that both are seen through to completion."

RPM is nearing completion, and initial work for RLE began four years ago, the CTA said. If funding is not restored, the CTA will have to stop work on both projects, they said.

RLE will extend CTA service 5.3 miles south from 95th Street to 130th Street.

As part of RPM, the CTA has opened four new stations and reconstructed the Red and Purple Line Express track.