CTA gets funds to study Red Line expansion

At least for now more studies. I ought to look into what it takes to build expansions of a rail network such as the CTA L. Ok we have studies and public input OK after getting approval when does construction start?

Anyway here's more from Transport Politics:

Last week, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) announced that it had received $285,000 in planning money from the federal government to pursue a draft environmental impact study on the extension of the Red Line rapid transit corridor south to 130th Street. The agency says that this project, which will bring rail transit service to the city’s southeastern border, is its top priority.
...
Nonetheless, with most of the system upgraded to at least workable standards, the CTA is now promoting a 5.8-mile, $1.4 billion extension of its network, designed specifically to ensure rapid and transfer-free travel from the city center to its southern edge. This Red Line scheme, in addition to further extensions of the Yellow and Orange Lines, has been in planning for several years. Yet the high price of the project, combined with the existence of substantial transit infrastructure already in place in the area, suggests there may be other options.

Let's talk about the map above. In addition to the proposed Red Line extension there is a proposed routing for the Southeast service for Metra and then the gray line that follows the route of the Metra Electric. In other words there are proponents of bolstering the commuter rail network in many of these underserved communities.

This is worth reading when you have some time.

Hat-tip CTA Tattler!