Regional Capital Program

Capital programming is a core function of the RTA. RTA and the Service Boards have worked to articulate as well as advance a capital strategy for transit projects in the Chicagoland region.

Priority Projects have been identified by the Service Boards. These priority projects are updated on an annual basis. This page shows details about the funding for each priority project.

The 2024-2028 5-Year Regional Capital Program includes over 250 projects that are advancing many of these Priority Projects. The capital projects are shown in the table below, organized by Priority Project and can also be seen in a mapped form on the RTA Capital Projects Dashboard. Each project listing shows the amount of funding programmed in the 2024-2028 Regional Capital Program. Beginning with the 2024-2028 Capital Program, projects are evaluated based on 15 measures which were identified in the new Regional Transit Strategic Plan, Transit is the Answer. All projects in the 2024-2028 program show the detailed evaluations in this site.

The metrics include evaluations of Equity and Accessibility which are used in the performance-based allocation process. The region has committed to dedicating 20% of programmed funds to projects that fulfill the regional goals of improving equity and accessibility for 2025 and beyond as a part of the new performance-based capital allocation process

The Service Boards have met and exceeded the 20% goal for the 2025-2028 budget years.

Detailed analysis of the capital evaluation metrics is included in the Regional Transit Operating Budget and Capital Program

Read more about RTA’s capital programming activities here.

Project Management Oversite (PMO) data is provided for projects that are being actively monitored by the PMO group. Data included current activities, start and end date and budget and schedule status. The following page has a full list of active PMO projects.

Agency Priority Project Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding 10 Year Funding Needed 10 Year Unfunded Need
+ Metra 75th Street Corridor Rail $0 $0 $1,646,583,750 $1,646,583,750

Reconfigure track shared by Metra, Amtrak, and freight trains

+ Metra A-2 Interlocking Replacement Rail $0 $0 $826,875,000 $826,875,000

Separate tracks at busiest switching location on Metra system

+ Pace ADA Regional Paratransit Program Bus $0 $0 $394,034,000 $394,034,000

Replacement of vehicles and radio systems for existing program. New vehicles, transfer locations and maintenance facilities for direct Pace ownership of assets for ADA service within City of Chicago

Project Title Asset Category Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding PMO
+ ADA Technology Upgrades and Transfer Centers Systemwide Bus $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
Regional ADA Paratransit Communication Technology and Transfer Locations - Projects include upgrades to the Trapeze software, TripCheck online booking and tracking, TripCheck Interactive Voice Response phone system, text/email notifications, and Ventra integration. In areas with frequent transfers, funding will be used to purchase land, build facilities, and provide amenities for riders. Pace has identified a location that is adjacent to the Northwest Transportation Center in Schaumburg that is planned to be the first of these transfer locations.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$20,000,000
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
Construction at the Northwest Transportation Center ADA Transfer Facility is ongoing. The contractor completed the underground sewer and drainage structure installation. Site work is ongoing with installation of a concrete block wall along the new bus driveway as well as grading for the parking lot and the new bus driveway. Progress continues on the implementation of various technology enhancement projects. The first two phases of the Taxi Access Program have been completed and the vendor is currently working on the third phase. Activity continues on two phases of Trapeze technology enhancements to Pace’s Trapeze paratransit scheduling system.

Last Updated 06.10.2024

+ Pace Administration - Pace Bus $0 $0 $0 $0

Provide for program administration

Project Title Asset Category Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding PMO
+ 2020 - Professional Project Management and Oversight Consulting Services Contingencies and Administration Bus $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
Project Management for Priority Capital Projects - Consulting services to assist Pace in the successful delivery of priority capital projects funded by Rebuild Illinois.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$425,000
On Budget
Behind Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
A contract was executed with STV Construction Inc. for project management consulting services. Task 1 involved a systems review of Pace's capital projects completion process and recommendations of industry best practices. The consultant completed the task order for this funding. This will be the final update of this project.

Last Updated 12.14.2023

+ 2021/2022 - Professional Project Management and Oversight Consulting Services Contingencies and Administration Bus $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
Project Management for Priority Capital Projects - Consulting services to assist Pace in the successful delivery of priority capital projects funded by Rebuild Illinois.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$1,000,000
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The contractor, STV, completed all the work under contract for PMO services Task Order #5, which included e-Builder administration, augmentation of Pace staff, and other consulting services. Final invoices remain and this will be the final update on this project.

Last Updated 12.14.2023

+ Pace Associated Capital Maintenance Items Bus $0 $0 $89,600,000 $89,600,000

Capital costs associated with the maintenance of buses

Project Title Asset Category Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding PMO
+ Engine/Transmission Retrofits & Maintenance Capital Rolling Stock Bus $0 $0

Project Details

Description
Engine/Transmission Retrofits & Associated Capital - Replacement of engines and transmissions at a unit cost of $160,000 per bus and $8,000 per paratransit vehicle, and associated capital (radiator, pumps, alternator, filters, belts, compressors, coils, shafts, modules, clamps, heaters, turbochargers, etc.).
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $5,912,569 $0 $0 $5,912,569

Last Updated 12.16.2022

+ CTA Blue Line Forest Park Modernization - Phase 1 Rail $0 $0 $131,245,158 $131,245,158

Track improvements to address the most immediate critical track needs on the Forest Park Branch to enable its continued operation

Project Title Asset Category Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding PMO
+ Forest Park: Phase 1 - Racine Station and Morgan Substation & Hermitage Traction Power Improvements Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
The CTA's Forest Park Blue Line Upgrades Project is the first of four phases of the Forest Park Branch. This project will provide for new trackwork from Halsted to IMD, an accessible station at Racine, advanced utility work, and a new substation and traction power equipment upgrades at Hermitage. This work will enhance service quality via speed, reliability, and comfort, and improve operational efficiency on the Forest Park Branch of CTA's rapid transit Blue Line service.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $67,471,237 $0 $0 $67,471,237

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$101,771,237
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The contractor completed the heavy mobilization at the project site. The construction activities are ongoing. A weekend line shutdown took place in May that allowed the contractor to perform steel erection, platform work, demolition and concrete repairs at Racine station and Morgan substation.

Last Updated 06.10.2024

+ Forest Park: Phase 1 - Advance Utility Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
The CTA's Forest Park Blue Line Upgrades Project is the first of four phases of the Forest Park Branch.This project will provide for new trackwork from Halsted to IMD, an accessible station at Racine,advanced utility work, and a new substation and traction power equipment upgrades at Hermitage. Thiswork will enhance service quality via speed, reliability, and comfort, and improve operational efficiency onthe Forest Park Branch of CTA's rapid transit Blue Line service.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$3,396,000
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The contractors for all four surveys completed their work during this reporting period and two are in final comments. Invoicing continues and all four contracts are considered to be in financial closeout. This will be the last update on this project.

Last Updated 12.14.2023

+ Forest Park: Phase 1 - Trackwork Halsted to IMD Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
The CTA's Forest Park Blue Line Upgrades Project is the first of four phases of the Forest Park Branch. This project will provide for new trackwork from Halsted to Illinois Medical District (IMD), an accessible station at Racine, advanced utility work, and a new substation and traction power equipment upgrades at Hermitage. This work will enhance service quality via speed, reliability, and comfort, and improve operational efficiency on the Forest Park Branch of CTA's rapid transit Blue Line service.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $43,497,351 $0 $0 $43,497,351

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$147,765,006
On Budget
Ahead of Schedul

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The major trackwork and signal work has been completed, with almost three miles of track, between the LaSalle and Illinois Medical District stations rebuild. The contractor is in the final stages of providing submittals and warranties. This project was completed early and is in the close out phase. This will be the final update for this project.

Last Updated 06.10.2024

+ CTA Blue Line Forest Park Modernization - Phase 2 Rail $0 $0 $653,077,000 $653,077,000

Track improvements to address the most immediate critical track needs on the Forest Park Branch to enable its continued operation

+ CTA Blue Line Forest Park Modernization - Phase 3 Rail $0 $0 $598,030,000 $598,030,000

Track improvement and special work placement, interlocking relocation and station renovations

+ CTA Blue Line Forest Park Modernization - Phase 4 Rail $0 $0 $597,030,000 $597,030,000

Des Plaines Yard and Forest Park terminal reconstruction

+ CTA Blue Line (O'Hare) Traction Power Capacity & Track Improvements Rail $0 $0 $215,740,272 $215,740,272

Upgrades and State of Good Repair projects along the O'Hare Branch of the Blue Line

Project Title Asset Category Mode 2024 Funding 2024-2028 Funding PMO
+ Blue Line O'Hare Branch - Special Trackwork Track & Structure Rail $0 $0

Project Details

Description
Funds provide for the replacement of stock rails, switch points, frogs, switch ties, and plates on the O’Hare Line that are no longer in a state of good repair and require concentrated maintenance by CTA forces to ensure service. The component replacement will take place between the Jefferson Park interlocking and the O’Hare terminal.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $2,013,674 $0 $0 $2,013,674

Last Updated 12.16.2022

+ Blue Line O'Hare Branch Traction Power Improvements Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
Blue Line O'Hare Branch Traction Power Improvements GTT - Project will include targeted track repairs to remove existing slow zones on the Congress Branch of the Blue Line. CTA has identified traction power voltage drop issues along the Blue Line. Scope of work will include but not limited to the following elements: New infill substations, infill wayside energy storage systems, infill tie houses, third rail replacement, addition of auxiliary negative rail; work will be performed by an outside contractor. In addition project will aslo provide for the replacement of ties, track fasteners, footwalks, and incidental signal and traction power; this part of work will be performed by CTA Field Forces.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $12,405,159 $0 $0 $12,405,159

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$207,100,000
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The contractor completed installation and testing of wayside signal equipment and all cutovers along the specific portion of the blue line. The project is considered substantially complete with the contractor performing punch list items. Final invoices remain and this will be the final update on this project.

Last Updated 12.14.2023

+ Blue Line Traction Power - Barry, Damen and Canal Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
Construct a tie house (at the intersection of Milwaukee/Canal/Lake Street) and two new substations (atBarry/Kimball intersection and Damen/Milwaukee intersection) to support traction power needs on theBlue Line. These assets will support increasing ridership demands as well as the power needed tosupport 5000 and 7000 series rail cars. The location of the tie house and substations were determinedby the Blue Line Load Flow study, which identified areas that were likely to experience traction powerissues.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $2,200,191 $0 $0 $2,200,191

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$123,967,362
On Budget
Behind Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
Construction work is ongoing at Canal, Damen, Haymarket and the Canal Tie-House. At Damen, curtain wall, louver and interior fixture installation, work is in progress. At Haymarket, switch and cable installation work in ongoing. At Barry masonry installation is in progress along with waterproofing and plumbing. Cable pulling is also ongoing at the Canal Tie House. Close coordination with ComEd on this project continues.

Last Updated 06.10.2024

+ Old Mannheim Replacement Foot walk Track & Structure Rail $0 $0

Project Details

Description
Restore footwalk at Old Manheim on the O'Hare Line.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $250,000 $0 $0 $250,000

Last Updated 12.16.2022

+ Traction Power Upgrades - Kedvale, Edmunds & Sacramento Substations Track & Structure Rail $0 $0 ✔︎

Project Details

Description
This project will Provide for AC breaker replacement at Kedvale, Edmunds and Sacramento substations. This will also include the replacement of oil (non?PCB) transformer and rectifiers along with roof and doors replacement at the Kedvale and Sacramento substations.
Funding Amounts by Source
*Previous funding shows all funding since 2021, but not with detail by funding source. Note that the project may have funding from capital programs previous to 2021 that is not shown in table.
Source Previous Funding* 2024 Funding 2025-2028 Funding Total
Federal $0 $0 $0 $0
State $0 $0 $0 $0
RTA $0 $0 $0 $0
Service Board / Local $0 $0 $0 $0
Total $0 $0 $0 $0

PMO:

Total Project Budget^ Budget Status Schedule Status Start Date End Date
$12,030,427
On Budget
On Schedule

^Total Project Budget is the project budget being tracked by the RTA PMO Group

Current Status
The contractor was able to install the transformers, rectifiers, as well as roof and door replacements since the last reporting period. The project reachedsubstantial completion in January 2023 and punchlist items were completed. Final invoices remain. This will be the final update on this project.

Last Updated 12.14.2023