Image: Vinci
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In a significant boost for transit access in Chicago's Far South Side, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has awarded the contract for the Red Line extension to a consortium led by VINCI Construction Grands Projets and Walsh Construction Company. The joint venture, with VINCI holding a 40% stake and Chicago-based Walsh Construction 60%, will be responsible for the design and construction of the 9-kilometer extension project, valued at $2.78 billion (2.49 billion euros).
The project includes a 6.4-kilometer elevated guideway and the addition of four new, fully accessible stations, designed to serve the often underserved communities in Chicago’s Far South Side. With an anticipated start of preparatory work in 2025, the extension is slated for completion in 2030. The new route will provide approximately 100,000 residents with an environmentally friendly, low-carbon public transport option, cutting commute times and improving access to downtown Chicago. Daily ridership is projected to reach around 40,000 trips by 2040.
The consortium's bid stood out due to its strong social and environmental commitments. Notably, 10% of design hours and 35% of construction hours are allocated to individuals from economically disadvantaged areas in Chicago. Additionally, 15% of construction hours will be dedicated to apprentices and trainees, and 22% of all construction contracts will be awarded to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises.
On the environmental front, the consortium’s innovative design optimizations aim to reduce concrete usage by 14%, with a commitment to use low-carbon concrete for 50% of the project’s total. This approach underscores VINCI and Walsh Construction’s dedication to sustainable building practices, in line with the broader push for green infrastructure development in urban areas.
Once completed, the extension will not only enhance connectivity but also foster economic growth and environmental sustainability, bringing far-reaching benefits to the Far South Side and beyond.
