en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Chicago Transit Board approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) to transfer federal funds to the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) to support the design of future track work on its Forest Park Branch. IDOT applied for and received a $15.8 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration on behalf of the CTA.

The CTA is planning a multi-year, multi-phase Forest Park Branch reconstruction project, including the complete rebuilding of the branch and accessibility upgrades. This agreement provides the authority with the necessary funding to advance the design phase of future track work between the Illinois Medical District station and the Forest Park station on the Blue Line, with a budget of $28.2 million.

CTA officials stated that as part of this future, yet-to-be-funded project, construction crews will completely remove over 13 miles of existing track and underlying infrastructure, replacing them with new materials and a new sub-drainage system.

Design work is expected to begin by the end of 2026. The construction timeline will be determined after the design is completed, and CTA officials noted that the authority plans to continue seeking necessary funding for the project. They pointed out that sections of the Blue Line corridor have suffered from persistent flooding issues for decades, leading to recurring speed restriction zones on the Forest Park Branch. The reconstruction project will renovate seven stations, replace the entire track bed and drainage system, and upgrade the traction power system.