The Chicago Transit Board announced the authorization of an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) to transfer funding support for the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch.
The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) recently secured funding for the design of future track work along the Forest Park Branch, and this agreement transferred the funding from IDOT to CTB, officials said. The funds will allow the Chicago Transit Authority to move forward with redesigning and rebuilding more than 13 miles of track and drainage system along the Forest Park Branch.
IDOT secured a $15.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration on behalf of the CTA. Per the terms of the IGA, IDOT will reimburse CTA for eligible design costs and CTA will cover the remaining balance with a mix of state and federal funding sources.
“Under my leadership, CTA has continued to focus on its commitment to providing a great experience for our riders and I am especially happy for our riders on the West Side,” CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen said. “This agreement is a testament to what strong partnerships can accomplish. Thanks to IDOT securing federal funding on CTA’s behalf, we can all look forward to this project moving ahead.
As a result of the agreement, CTA will have the funding it needs to advance the $28.2 million design phase of future track work between Illinois Medical District and Forest Park stations. The multi-phased project, once designed and approved, will see crews completely remove more than 13 miles of existing track and its underlying infrastructure, and replace it with new materials and a new drainage system.
“We look forward to this next step in modernizing the Blue Line and improving the overall I-290 corridor,” Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said. “Reaching this stage has required tremendous teamwork and will ultimately make the corridor more accessible, safe and reliable for everyone who relies on it.”
Officials said the work is critical to providing safe and reliable transportation on Chicago’s West Side which has been plagued with flooding for decades. Rebuilding the track along the Blue Line Forest Park Branch is a critical component to the Connect 290/Blue Program that will transform the I-290/Blue Line corridor through infrastructure investments.
Design work is expected to begin in late 2026, and a timeline for construction would become available once design work is complete.
IDOT applied for federal funding on the CTA’s behalf and secured a $15.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration. Per the terms of the agreement, eligible design costs incurred by the CTA will be reimbursed by IDOT. CTA will cover the remaining balance of design costs with a mix of state and federal funding sources.