CTA Secures More Than $18 Million for Blue Line Forest Park Branch Design Work (Chicago, IL) – The Chicago Transit Authority has secured more than $18 million to advance the design phase of a major reconstruction project for the Blue Line’s Forest Park Branch, marking another step toward modernizing one of the system’s oldest rail corridors.
The Chicago Transit Board recently approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) that will provide funding for the design of future track improvements between the Illinois Medical District and Forest Park stations. The agreement supports the broader Forest Park Branch Rebuild Project, a multi-year initiative aimed at replacing aging infrastructure and making every station along the branch fully accessible.
“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,” said CTA Acting President Nora Leerhsen. “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.”
The funding will support the $28.2 million design phase for a future project that would replace more than 13 miles of track, underlying infrastructure, and the drainage system between the Illinois Medical District and Forest Park stations. Construction funding has not yet been secured, but officials said completing the design work is a critical step toward moving the project forward.
Illinois Transportation Secretary Gia Biagi said the improvements will benefit both transit riders and motorists along the Interstate 290 corridor.
“We look forward to this next step in modernizing the Blue Line and improving the overall I-290 corridor,” 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.”
The Forest Park Branch has faced recurring flooding and deteriorating infrastructure for decades, contributing to widespread slow zones. According to CTA, more than 84% of the branch currently operates under speed restrictions because of aging track conditions.
The project is part of the Connect 290/Blue Program, a partnership between CTA, IDOT and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) launched in 2024 to coordinate infrastructure improvements along the I-290 and Blue Line corridor.
Design work is expected to begin in late 2026, with a construction timeline to be determined after the design phase is completed.
IDOT secured a $15.8 million Federal Highway Administration grant on CTA’s behalf to fund most of the design work. CTA will pay the remaining costs using a combination of state and federal funding.
Much of the Forest Park Branch infrastructure dates back to 1958. While CTA has completed maintenance and periodic upgrades over the years, officials say the corridor has reached the end of its useful life.
As part of the overall rebuild, CTA plans to reconstruct seven stations to meet modern accessibility standards, replace the entire trackbed and drainage system, and upgrade the traction power system to support newer railcars and improve long-term reliability.
In 2023, CTA completed nearly three miles of new track between the LaSalle and Illinois Medical District stations, began rebuilding the Racine station, and upgraded the traction power system. The fully accessible Racine station reopened in 2025.
CTA officials said they will continue pursuing additional funding needed to complete the full reconstruction of the Forest Park Branch, with future project phases to be announced as funding becomes available.
CTA Secures More Than $18 Million for Blue Line Forest Park Branch Design Work
