"The Red Line is the most important transit line in the country outside of New York City," says Joseph Schwieterman, a transportation professor in the School of Public Service at DePaul University, Chicago. The three-year project is slated to begin in 2012.

Almost 35% of the Dan Ryan branch is limited to speeds of less than 35 miles per hour, with almost 20% of the branch restricted to a top speed of 15 mph.

"One of the major hurdles is the Red Line's current design, which was built for a different era when passenger loads were lighter," Schwieterman says.

Future Plans

The extensive job's funding is not enough to get the Red Line completely up to speed. Earlier this year, CTA began an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the future modernization of the Red and Purple lines along the city's North Side, including an option to turn the elevated portions into subways. Previously, in 2009, CTA wrapped up a $530-million rehab of its nearby Brown Line.

Federal funds are paying for this $8.4-million EIS, whose completion is anticipated in 2013. Six designs, including the option to bury the Red Line tracks below grade, arose from earlier meetings.

CTA tells ENR that the subway is not financially or technically feasible and the agency is no longer considering it. All the remaining design alternatives would operate aboveground.

The agency also is planning a 5.3-mile south extension of the Red Line, as well as extensions to other rail lines, in a project that could cost nearly $2 billion.