Construction

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Advance construction work
Construction activity notices (CANs)
Latest news
Public meetings
Frequently asked questions about advance construction
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Advance construction work

We will perform two types of prep work this year: Property demolition and the relocation of utility poles and equipment (also known as advance utility relocation).

This work will have some impacts on the community. CTA is committed to providing residents and local businesses with information about the work throughout this year and next year, including what to expect, when to expect it and what we will do to minimize those impacts.

Expected impacts

Noise – running air compressors, excavators, generators, general construction noise
Truck traffic
Street, alley closures
Sidewalk closures
Dust

The Red Line Extension alignment map depicting both the demolition area and the advance utility relocation area. The Demolition area stretches from 95th street to slightly East of Kensington Park South of Michigan Ave Station. The Advance Utility Relocation area stretches from 95th Street to 130th.

Property demolition work

To build the Red Line Extension, we have acquired properties that are located in the future track alignment.

Demolition of properties is expected to begin late summer or fall 2024 and continue into 2025. Once work dates and plans are finalized, locations and timing will be shared with the public.

The area of this work includes select sites in the area between south of 95th Street to approximately
118th Street.

Advance utility relocation

We will relocate utility equipment to clear the way for new track and station construction to avoid delays in the project when major construction is under way. This work is expected to begin this summer and occur throughout the Red Line Extension project area, including sections near the future track alignment in Far South Side communities. The work will include:

New underground trenches and relocating power and communication lines
Shorter poles will be installed to provide service to adjacent properties
Relocating power transformers on poles to underground

The area of this work is located from 95th Street to south of 130th Street.

Construction crews depicted performing utilities relocation work with heavy machinery and a backhoe.

Security

Safety and security for the community is a top priority, including proactively ensuring that properties that are awaiting demolition are secured and do not become nuisances for neighbors.

To do this, we work closely with a property management company, East Lake Management, that secures and regularly monitors and inspects all CTA-owned properties, addressing any issues that arise and swiftly responding to any questions or concerns raised by community members.

East Lake secures properties by conducting comprehensive site surveys, removing debris, boarding up windows, changing locks, mowing and weed removal graffiti removal, and snow removal. Any issues spotted or reported will be immediately addressed. Any criminal activity that is suspected or observed is immediately reported to Chicago Police.

While we make consistent efforts to be a good neighbor and steward of CTA properties, we strongly encourage neighbors to if they see something, say something by calling East Lake Management at (312) 842-5500. Any illegal or nuisance activity is unacceptable to CTA and we strongly recommend neighbors to call 911 if they believe they are in danger or witness what they believe to be criminal activity.

Construction activity notices (CANs)

As we work hard to build the Red Line Extension, we know that our construction can and does affect people who live and work nearby. This is why we provide advanced notice to communities in the RLE project footprint about work that we will be doing. These Construction Activity Notices (CANs) are also emailed to affected residents and businesses and physically posted in work site areas.

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Latest News

East 130th St soil boring and survey work 02/24/2025

In preparation to build the Red Line Extension to 130th Street, crews will perform soil boring and survey work on E. 130th Street from S. Ellis Avenue to Bishop Ford (I-94) Expressway. Download Document

Site preparation work at 40 W 115th 02/10/2025